Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh lauded Shubman Gill after the latter slammed a record-breaking double century to script India’s historic 8-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI in Guwahati on Wednesday (September 30).
Chasing a mammoth target of 406 runs, Gill provided the hosts with a blistering start as he added 255 runs for the opening wicket with Rohit Sharma. The Indian captain reached his 11th ODI century off just 62 balls.
While Rohit was dismissed after scoring 101 off 75 balls – his 35th ODI ton, Gill held the one end and stayed unbeaten on 223 off 133 balls to take India over the line with 39 deliveries to spare.
In the process, Gill completed the double century in just 117 balls – the fastest in ODI history, breaking Ishan Kishan's previous world record of 126 balls. He also became only the second batter in cricket history to record multiple ODI double tons, joining fellow opener Rohit Sharma, who has three.
This was only the second instance of a player scoring a ODI double hundred in a run chase after Australian swashbuckler Glenn Maxwell’s incredible effort against Afghanistan during the 2023 World Cup in Mumbai.
Speaking to ANI, Harbhajan highlighted that Gill has been "growing in stature with time" ever since his Under-19 days and commended his father’s immense contribution to his cricketing career.
"Shubman Gill is only growing in stature with time. He is the captain now, and I have been seeing him play tremendously well continuously since the Under-19 days. As he has become a more experienced player, his game has got better and better. So it's a very proud moment for me to say that Shubman Gill has come up from where he started, and his father's contribution is huge," Harbhajan said.
"And the hard work he has put in, the results he is delivering for the team, it's outstanding. Brilliant knock. I mean, no one has ever made 200 that fast. So many congratulations to Shubman, and my congratulations to his father, because I know if anyone will be the happiest about these runs Shubman has made, it won't be Shubman; it will be his father," he added.
Shubman Gill’s monumental knock helped India pull off their highest successful ODI chase and the second-highest successful chase overall in men's ODI cricket, following South Africa’s iconic 438-run chase against Australia in 2006.
With this victory, the Men in Blue also gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The inconsequential third ODI will be held in New Chandigarh on Saturday (October 3).
