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Shubman Gill was the star of the show in the second ODI between India and Australia, where he put on a remarkable display of his batting skills. The right-handed batter, hailing from Punjab, played a brilliant innings, accumulating a total of 104 runs off just 97 deliveries. His impressive knock included six fours and four powerful sixes. Gill’s century proved to be the cornerstone of India’s dominant 399/5 against the Australian team while batting first.
Gill leads the runs chart this year
Gill’s exceptional performance not only helped India secure a commanding position in the game but also solidified his position as the leading run-scorer in the year 2023. The 24-year-old has been in scintillating form, amassing a staggering 1230 runs in just 20 ODIs, a feat unmatched by any other batter this year. His consistency and ability to play match-winning innings have made him a valuable asset to the Indian cricket team.
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Gill’s century and Sehwag’s expectations
Gill’s impressive century in the strong Australian bowling attack left many cricket enthusiasts in awe. However, there was one legendary cricketer, Virender Sehwag, who expressed a touch of disappointment despite Gill’s remarkable achievement. Sehwag, known for his explosive batting, believed that the Fazilka-born cricketer missed a golden opportunity to transform his century into an even more substantial score.
“He missed out last time but ensured that he got his hundred today, but I would still say that the form he is in he should have scored 160 or 180. He is now of just 25. Had he scored 200 today then he wouldn’t have become tired and could have fielded as well. At 30, he would have found it difficult because he wouldn’t have recovered. So it is better to score big runs now,” Sehwag said to Cricbuzz.
The quest for a double century
Sehwag, who himself has the distinction of scoring a double century at the same venue in Indore, emphasized that Gill had the potential to create history by achieving a double century in the 50-over format. The 44-year-old pointed out that more than 15 overs were remaining when Gill was dismissed after reaching his century, providing ample time to push for the coveted double century milestone.
“When you are in form and you are scoring runs then don’t throw your wicket away. When he got out, there were 18 overs still remaining. Had he played for 9-10 overs more he could have completed his second double hundred. Rohit Sharma scored three double hundreds. He had the opportunity today. A 200 has been scored at this venue by a player named Sehwag, because it is that sort of a track,” the Nazafgarh-born cricketer-concluded.
Spin duo’s brilliance secures series victory:
India’s spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja also played a pivotal role in the team’s success. Defending a formidable 399, Ashwin and Jadeja exhibited their spin wizardry, claiming three wickets each. Ashwin finished with figures of 3/41, while Jadeja closely followed with 3/42. Their combined effort wreaked havoc on the visitors batting line-up, ultimately leading to their downfall.
This commanding win allowed India to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Australia. With momentum firmly on their side, India now looks ahead to the third and final ODI, scheduled to be held in Rajkot on Wednesday, September 27.
