Shubman Gill has enjoyed a dream run in ICC U-19 World Cup so far with scores of 63, 90*, 86 and 102* (ICC Twitter Photo)

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly hailed Shubman Gill's hundred in the ICC U-19 World Cup semi-final on Tuesday and went on to say that he sees a bit of Brian Lara and Kane Williamson in the young Indian batsman.

Gill smashed an unbeaten 102 off 94 balls to power India to 272/9 in the second semi-final against Pakistan at Christchurch.

The Indian fast bowlers and spinners then turned on the heat on the arch-rivals and bowled them out for a paltry 69 in 29.3 overs to register victory by 203 runs. Bengal pacer Ishan Porel grabbed 4 wickets for 17 runs while Anukul Roy and Riyan Parag took two wickets each.

Gill's hundred was his first in first-class cricket and it was his fourth successive score of over 50 in the tournament. The Punjab cricketer has enjoyed a dream run in the World Cup with scores of 63, 90*, 86 and 102*.

"I actually feel Shubman Gill is a better player than Prithvi Shaw. I feel he is the best player in this team. He is a bit like Brian Lara and Kane Williamson. Even Ishan Porel who plays for Bengal, created havoc with the new ball. He was injured at the start of the tournament and couldn't play for a week. It's great to see him back, get fit and come and bowl so well. They are special these kids," Ganguly told India Today in an exclusive chat.

The Cricket Association of Bengal president also praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for putting up such fantastic infrastructure in place for the U-19 boys to prosper.

"Over the years, the systems in Indian cricket has improved so much that it makes even the U-19 sides so strong. I am an administrator being the president of Cricket Association of Bengal so I know exactly

what all systems are put in place by the board in making U-19 cricket so good," Ganguly said.

"I am not surprised with what I've seen in this competition because I have seen them live. When I see them I see so much difference between India and the rest," he added.

Praising the strength of the Indian team, Ganguly predicted a big future for these young stars.

"Not just Pakistan, every team has been decimated like this. Look at those two fast bowlers - Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti - bowling at over 140 at the age of 17-18. Anukul Roy of Assam has got a huge future, left-arm spinner Abhishek Sharma is also fantastic.

"Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw then there is the wicketkeeper Harvik Desai, these guys look much above the rest. It's also a direction for future that most of these boys will go on and play the top level in a few years time. The difference between India and the rest of the sides has been too much in this tournament," the 45-year-old said.

Ganguly also backed India to outclass Australia just like they did in the first match of the tournament when these two teams met.

"The first match India beat Australia by 100 runs and they are playing again in the final. If India does not have a poor day then it is going to be a one-sided final again. I will be really surprised if anything wrong happens in the final. It will be very hard for Australia to beat India," Ganguly said.