Aaron Finch crowns Shubman Gill as the world’s best modern T20 opener
Aaron Finch Ranks Shubman Gill as the World’s Best Modern T20 Opener
Aaron Finch has ranked some of the most explosive modern T20 openers, and his top pick is none other than India captain Shubman Gill. The former Australia captain cited Gill’s ultra-consistency and ability to lead his team well as the reasons behind his ranking.
The Evolution of T20 Cricket
Modern-day T20 cricket has completely changed the dynamics of the game, with a focus on fireworks and quick scoring rather than long innings. The game has tilted in favor of the batter, with most games featuring flat and high-scoring pitches.
The likes of Brendon McCullum, who kick-started the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, have paved the way for the next generation of explosive openers. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old cricketer, has been making waves with his massive range hitting, impressing even the likes of McCullum.
Aaron Finch’s Ranking
Aaron Finch was asked to blind rank the openers, without knowing who was coming next. He ranked Shubman Gill at No. 1, followed by Sai Sudharsan at No. 2. The two opening partners have created a massive impact for their franchise, the Gujarat Titans, and have led them to the final of IPL 2026.
Other Indian batters, such as Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, were also ranked by Finch. Phil Salt, a title winner, was ranked at No. 3, while Travis Head and Mitch Marsh were ranked at No. 6 and No. 8, respectively.
Aaron Finch said, “Okay, there’s going to be some really angry, passionate fans out there. Don’t hate on me, please. Phil Salt — title winner — at No. 3. Sanju Samson at No. 4. Sai Sudharsan at No. 2. Abhishek Sharma at No. 5. Has he won a title? No. Travis Head at No. 6. Shubman Gill at No. 1.”
When asked if he would change his ranking, Finch said, “No. 1, I’m happy with Shubman at the top. He’s been ultra-consistent, an unbelievable player, and he’s led his team really well, which gets a few bonus points.”
Aarav Malhotra is a cricket features writer from Pune specializing in player biographies, IPL season stories, and emerging cricket talents. His content focuses on storytelling-driven sports journalism optimized for modern cricket audiences and search platforms.
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