The ongoing T20I series between India and West Indies remains alive as the Hardik Pandya-led India side registered an emphatic nine-wicket victory in Lauderhill, Florida, levelling the series and setting the stage for a thrilling decider on Sunday at the same venue.
Chasing a decent target of 179 runs, India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, exhibited a masterful display of batting prowess. Gill’s 77 off 47 balls and Jaiswal’s unbeaten 84 off 51 balls propelled the team to an impressive 165-run partnership, equalling the record set six years ago by Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
“Everyone who plays for India are equally capable and have equal ability but the way Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill bat in tandem; they can bat for each other as well and they need to find that space. If they do, they are going to be a very dangerous pair for India in years to come,” Uthappa stated on JioCinema post-match analysis.
Drawing parallels to the legendary Tendulkar-Ganguly partnership, Uthappa’s sentiment reflects the excitement building around the duo’s potential. The Tendulkar-Ganguly pair amassed a staggering 6609 runs as openers in ODIs, a record that still stands. Uthappa’s optimism suggests that Gill and Jaiswal have the ingredients to replicate their historic success.
“It will be a hot pair and they can be something as great as Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly opening the batting. They need to figure a few things out and if they do, they will do great things for India,” he added.
