Shubman Gill became only the fifth Indian player in the history of ODI cricket to smash a double century against New Zealand in the first ODI at Hyderabad on Wednesday, January 19. He smashed 208 runs in 149 balls, including 19 boundaries and 9 sixes, three of which came back-to-back as the youngster brought up his double ton.
During his knock, Gill (23 years) also became the youngest to hit an ODI double ton breaking Ishan Kishan’s record of 24 years. He also became the joint second fastest to 1000 runs in ODIs in 19 innings and the fastest Indian to the milestone beating Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan’s record of 24 innings.
He helped India put on 349/8 in 50 overs and despite a scintillating counter-attacking 140 by Michael Bracewell and 57 by Mitchell Santner, India managed to keep them to 337 and win the first ODI by 12 runs.
This 208 was also the second ton in a row in ODIs for Shubman Gill, who had made a century against Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, which helped India win the match by a record 317 runs and pocket the series 3-0.
Shubman’s father is an ardent fan of cricket and when his son made 91 in the Brisbane Test win against Australia, he rued the chance of a missed century.
Gurkeerat Mann, who was at Shubman’s house on Sunday for the final ODI against Sri Lanka recalls the opener’s father felt he should’ve converted his century into a double ton.
“You see how he is getting out, even after he scored a century, he had enough time to score a double century. He will not get these starts all the time. When will he learn? Lakhwinder paaji always had high expectations from Shubman. We all had, right from his childhood days. It is good to see him finally converting his starts and I hope Lakhwinder paaji will be pleased today,” Gurkeerat revealed in a conversation with The Indian Express.
Gurkeerat added that Gill has been getting good starts but failed to get the century, however, it was not because he was out of form.
“He has always been scoring those 40s and 50s. But that century was not coming. The form was never an issue. A batter is out of form if he is struggling to get into double digits. He was always getting those starts. But a cricketer of his calibre will always be under pressure to perform. People will always expect him to score big runs," he added further.
Shubman will be seen in action when India and New Zealand clash in the second ODI in Raipur on January 21.
