PRINCE READY TO DON THE MANTLE FOR TEAM INDIA

Gill, the Prince, isn't just filling Hardik Pandya's shoes he's carving his own legacy. With the bat, he's timing everything sweetly. With the armband, he's calling the shots confidently.

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t Eden Gardens, Shubman Gill did more than score runs he made a statement.

The Gujarat Titans skipper returned to the ground where he made his name, struck a majestic 90, and dismantled defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders with the compo-sure of a seasoned leader. The result? A 39-run win that sent Gujarat to the top of the table and sent a message to the rest of the league.

Gill, who took over the reins after Hardik Pandya's move back to Mumbai Indians, came into IPL Season 18 with ques-tions over his leadership. But halfway through the season, those doubts are vanishing fast. He's not just leading the Titans he's inspiring them.

Outplaying the champions, topping the table

Monday's commanding win in Kolkata saw the Titans domi-nate in every department. Gill and Orange Cap-holder Sai Sudharsan added 114 for the opening stand, laying the foun-dation for Jos Buttler's explo-sive 23-ball 41. With the ball, Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan picked up two wickets each on a sluggish pitch to seal the win.