Playing his maiden international match at his home ground in Mohali, Shubman Gill starred with the bat for India in their convincing five-wicket victory over Australia in the ODI series opener.
Chasing 277 to win, Gill slammed 74 off 63 balls (6 fours and 2 sixes) and added a brilliant partnership of 142 runs for the opening wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad, who returned with 71 off 77 balls.
After India lost both the openers, Shreyas Iyer (3) and Ishan Kishan (18) in quick succession, stand-in skipper KL Rahul (58*) and Suryakumar Yadav (50) stepped up the plate to seal the deal for the hosts with eight deliveries to spare.
Following the win, Shubman Gill said he had been coming to the PCA Stadium since he was seven years old and it was a dream for him to play an international match in Mohali.
“I was 7 years old when we came to Mohali for the first time. Since I had seen so many matches here as a spectator, it was a dream for me to play an international match in Mohali. I'd played a couple of IPL matches but to play an international match with my family watching was special,” Gill said while speaking to Jio Cinema.
The right-hander went on to say that batters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan have grabbed their opportunities with both hands.
“Both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan have grabbed their opportunities. They are all very eager to perform and are showing it when they get a chance,” Gill added.
Shubman Gill has been in fabulous form this year, especially in the 50-over format. He is the leading run-getter in ODIs in 2023 with 1126 runs from 19 innings at a remarkable average of 70.37 and a strike rate of 104.84, including four hundreds and five half-centuries.
The 24-year-old will certainly hold a key for India in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup at home.
“I feel my strength is to know when to attack and when to defend. You can expect me to play according to the situation at the World Cup. I will try to adapt to the opponents and conditions and give myself the best possible chance to do well,” said Gill.
With this victory, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Australia. Indore will host the second ODI on Sunday (September 24).
