Shubman Gill reflects on 2023: 'Didn't go as planned but proud'

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill took to his Instagram account to reflect on his 2023, which was largely successful at an individual and team level. The swashbuckling right-hand batter started 2023 on a bang with a superb performances in the home series against New Zealand, where he scored his maiden double-century in ODIs.

He took that batting prowess to the IPL and scored an eye-watering 890 runs in the season as his side Gujarat Titans reached all the way to the final but missed out on the title by a whisker.

Then came the ODI World Cup at home and Gill started the tournament on the backfoot, as he contracted dengue just before the beginning of the showpiece event that forced him to miss the first 2 matches. However, he made a quick recovery and made his comeback against Pakistan as the Men in Blue swept aside every single opponent their way until the World Cup final. Unfortunately for Gill, and Team India, the home side heartbreakingly lost the summit clash against the mighty Australia.

There was a bit more heartbreak in store for Gill and Team India as they lost the boxing day opening Test match against South Africa by an innings and 32 runs at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.

Regardless, it has been a career-defining year for Gill, who took to Instagram to reflect on the year gone by: "Exactly a year ago, I put it out into the universe. With 2023 coming to an end, the year has been full of experiences, some great fun and other great learnings. The end of the year didn’t go as planned, but I can proudly say we came ever so close to our goals, giving everything we had.

"The coming year brings its own challenges and opportunities. Hopefully, we’ll get closer to our goals in 2024. I hope all of you find love, joy, and strength in everything you do."

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South Africa vs India

Gill and his team will be in action in their whites on Wednesday, January third in the second Test match against South Africa, at the Newlands Cricket Ground. While India can't win the series, there is still much to play as the Men in Blue will look to draw the series with a win and rack up some crucial World Test Championship points.