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Former India player Varun Aaron has opined that Shubman Gill might be feeling a little weird playing virtually second fiddle to Abhishek Sharma in their opening partnerships. He highlighted that the Indian vice-captain was much ahead of his opening partner a couple of years ago.India registered a 2-1 win in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against Australia. While Abhishek (163 runs at a strike rate of 161.38 in five innings) was the top run-getter in the series, Gill (132 runs at a strike rate of 136.08 in five innings) was the second-highest run-scorer.During an interaction on the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues,' Aaron was asked about his thoughts on Gill's performances in the T20I series against Australia and his partnership with Abhishek."Shubman Gill must be finding it a bit weird because one-and-a-half or two years ago, Shubman Gill was the leader, if you can say so, within this combination, in the IPL, playing for India in T20Is, and getting consistent runs. He is still getting runs, but Abhishek Sharma is just obliterating everybody with his strike rate," he responded.The former India pacer praised Gill for playing a classy knock (unbeaten 29 off 16 balls) in the final T20I against Australia."Shubman Gill is somebody who is playing the ice role in this combination, Abhishek being the fire. Both of them go about their work very effortlessly. Shubman Gill, in the last T20I, just showed how much class he has. He just has to hold his position and he can do everything from there itself," Aaron elaborated.Varun Aaron opined that Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are the best opening combination for India. He reasoned that while Abhishek goes really hard and Suryakumar Yadav is also likely to bat similarly at No. 3, Gill provides stability and some sort of comfort that there is one batter who can take it deep."He just shows that he has a way to adapt to these conditions" - Varun Aaron lauds Abhishek Sharma's performances in AUS vs IND 2025 T20IsAbhishek Sharma was chosen as the Player of the Series. [P/C: Getty]In the same interaction, Varun Aaron lauded Abhishek Sharma for showing the ability to adjust his game according to the conditions."He won the Player of the Series in Asia in Dubai on slow wickets, and the other one in Australia. Two very different conditions and he just shows that he has a way to adapt to these conditions. What most batters find difficult is coming from slow wickets to fast wickets. They are not able to adapt," he said.The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Abhishek finds ways to outsmart the bowlers and termed the left-handed opener the most vital cog in the Indian batting lineup."Especially against Josh Hazlewood in the first two games, I thought he had a method, which was to step out and try to get him off his mark. I think Abhishek Sharma has found a way to get the bowlers off their plans. Going forward, he is going to be the most vital cog in the Indian batting wheel because if you get off to a good start, more often than not, you win the game," Aaron elaborated.Abhishek Sharma has amassed 1,012 runs at a strike rate of 189.51 in 28 T20I innings. He has smashed 813 runs at a strike rate of 195.43 in 21 innings in winning causes.
