I was not even 10 per cent of Shubman Gill when I was 19: Virat Kohli

Gill, who was named Player of the Tournament in India’s successful ICC U-19 World Cup campaign in New Zealand last year, drew immense praise from captain Kohli.

India stamped their authority in New Zealand sealing the ODI series 3-0 after a dominating seven-wicket win in the third one-dayer at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Monday. The series win is India’s second in New Zealand after 3-1 accomplishment in 2009 under MS Dhoni. (India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: FULL SCORECARD)

Virat Kohli, who has been rested for the remaining two ODIs and the following three-match Twenty20 International series in keeping with the BCCI’s workload management programme ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019, was all praise for the youngsters in the side which speaks volumes about the confidence and quality of his Indian team which now looks threatening to dominate even overseas. (ALSO READ: Relentlessness of my team is something that really pleases me: Virat Kohli)

First among the youngsters to capitalise on debut was Prithvi Shaw, who was drafted into playing XI for the home Test series against West Indies. Shaw smashed a scintillating century on debut at Rajkot last year and followed it up with 71 in the next Test at Hyderabad to emerge as the highest run-scorer with 237 runs in the two-Test series.

Next in line to possibly don ODI colours in New Zealand is Shubman Gill. The 19-year-old batsman, who has had a phenomenal run in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 season, earned his maiden ODI call-up for the series against the Black Caps. Gill, who was named Player of the Tournament in India’s successful ICC U-19 World Cup campaign in New Zealand last year, drew immense praise from his captain. (ALSO READ: Shubman Gill is someone who can represent India for a long time: Yuvraj Singh)

“Shubman is a very exciting talent and I saw him bat in the nets and I was like wow I was not even ten percent of that when I was 19. So,

that’s the confidence that they [Prithvi and Shubman] carry and it’s great for Indian cricket, the standard keeps going up and the guys coming in can make those impact performances straightaway. And, we are more than happy to give them chances and provide them the space to grow,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

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