IND v NZ 2023: WATCH- Shubman Gill cuts cake to celebrate record double ton; Kohli calls knock ‘very high level’

Shubman Gill made 208 with 19 fours and 9 sixes in his knock.

Indian batter Shubman Gill was the toast of the Men in Blue’s victory in the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand in Hyderabad, as he hit a scintillating double century and broke a slew of records during his knock.

He made 208 in 149 balls with 9 sixes and 19 fours to his name and helped India make 349/8 in 50 overs after captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first against New Zealand. He was supported by Rohit (34), Suryakumar Yadav (31), and Hardik Pandya (28).

In reply, Michael Bracewell with 140 and Mitchell Santner with 57, and their 160-run partnership for the seventh wicket almost took New Zealand home from 131/6. But Mohammed Siraj with 4/46 and some clever bowling by Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav gave India a 12-run win in the end.

Shubman Gill was named the Player of the Match for his feat as he became only the fifth Indian to score a double hundred in ODIs after Sachin Tendulkar (200*), Virender Sehwag (219), Rohit Sharma (209, 264, 208*) and Ishan Kishan (210).

IND v NZ 2023: 'He has put the opening debate to rest'- Aakash Chopra after Gill's double ton in Hyderabad

He also became the youngest at 23y 132d to score a double ton and the fastest Indian to 1000 runs in ODIs in only 19 innings, and joint second overall with Imam Ul Haq.

BCCI shared a video of Shubman Gill celebrating his amazing knock by cutting a cake in presence of the entire team.

Here is the video:

The video also featured Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, and other players lauding Gill for his record-breaking innings.

Virat Kohli can be heard saying: “I would call it outstanding. Especially considering that the next-best score wasn't even 40, and the fact that he got a double hundred was a knock at a very, very high level.

I think he was totally in his element today and showed why so many people have been saying such great things about him for years. I wish him all the best. Hope he builds on this. Today it was just a privilege to watch him bat,” he said. Skipper Rohit Sharma was also all praise for Gill after the match. “Watching Gill bat is fanastic, clean striking and no aerial shots. We wanted to give him a run before the SL series the kind of form he was in. He's such a free-flowing batsman.”

The second ODI will be played in Raipur on Saturday, Jan 21.

(BCCI inputs)