Shubman Gill starred with the bat in India’s nerve-wracking 12-run victory over New Zealand in the first ODI at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Wednesday (January 18).

Opening the innings, Gill slammed 208 off 149 balls, propelling the Men in Blue to a massive 349/8 in 50 overs. His knock was studded with 19 fours and 9 sixes.

It was Gill’s third century in ODIs and his maiden double ton in the 50-over format. He deservedly earned the Player-of-the-Match award after the hosts completed a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Speaking after the game, Shubman Gill revealed that he wasn’t thinking of hitting a double hundred before the 47th over.

“I was waiting eagerly to go out and do what I want to do. With wickets falling, at times I wanted to unleash and I'm glad I could do it at the end. Sometimes when the bowler is on top, you need to make them feel pressure. Need to avoid dot balls, show some intent and hit hard into the gaps. Which is what I was doing,” Gill said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Wasn't really thinking of 200, but once I hit sixes in the 47th over, I did feel that I could. Before that, I was playing what was coming to me,” he added.

Gill was backed by the Indian team management for the opening slot despite Ishan Kishan’s double ton in the final ODI on the tour of Bangladesh last month. The classy right-hander certainly repaid the faith as he also scored a hundred and a half-century in the preceding ODI series against Sri Lanka.

“He (Kishan) is one of my best mates. I was there when he scored his ODI double hundred and it was special,” Gill stated.

“It feels nice when you are wanting to do something and it is coming off on a regular basis. Definitely a sense of satisfaction. It (double ton) has sunk in pretty well. Game went much more closer than I expected,” he concluded.

The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played in Raipur on Saturday (January 21).

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)