In the inaugural game of the ongoing three-match series against New Zealand, Shubman Gill, slammed his first ODI double-century at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
It was Gill’s second consecutive three-figure score in the 50-over format. A few days back, he scored a century in the third and final game against Sri Lanka and helped India register a record win.
Batting first, India started well with Gill and Rohit Sharma establishing a 60-run opening partnership, but soon after the dismissal of Rohit, wickets kept falling for the Men in Blue.
However, at one end, Gill batted tremendously and kept scoring runs throughout the innings. The 23-year-old reached the three-figure mark in 87 deliveries and became the fastest Indian batter and second across the world to touch the 1000-run mark in the fewest ODI innings. He took just 19 innings to reach the milestone. Notably, the record belongs to Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan, who achieved the feat in 18 innings.
In the penultimate over of India’s innings, Gill reached the 200 milestone. He became the 5th Indian and 12th overall cricketer to smash a double century in ODIs. For India, before Gill, only Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Ishan Kishan had scored a double ton.
In his knock of 208 runs in 149 deliveries, Gill hammered nine sixes and fourteen fours to power India to a massive total of 349/8. The Punjab lad also etched the highest individual score by an Indian against New Zealand.
Fans on social media were thrilled to see Gill reaching the milestone, and love poured in for the right-handed batter from all over the world.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
ICYMI – 𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏. 𝘼. 𝙆𝙉𝙊𝘾𝙆! 💪 💪
That celebration says it ALL 👌 👌Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/IQq47h2W47 #TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/OSwcj0t1sd
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2023
What an innings- 200 runs crossed majestically with 3 sixes. Looked like he was playing GILLi danda- and of course the danda was #CEAT #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/KINt2UTvfO
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) January 18, 2023
We Believed And He Did It .
Hail ShubmanGill !! 🙇♂️ #INDvsNZ || #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/3jsQYfCZAv
— Sir BoiesX 🕯 (@BoiesX45) January 18, 2023
The roar in the eyes of Shubman Gill pic.twitter.com/iKuMFlQr4h
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 18, 2023
It has been so enjoyable to see Shubman Gill batting in these last few games. The promise was impossible to miss but he has now married consistency to it. A 1000 runs in 19 innings is exceptional.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 18, 2023
Double hundred by #ShubmanGill in 145 ball’s
– he is breaking the records at the age of 23.
– becomes the 5th Indian to smash a double century. pic.twitter.com/7m0iDnVbQC— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) January 18, 2023
Just seen a super special innings 👏🏻👏🏻 #ShubmanGill
— Ajit Agarkar (@imAagarkar) January 18, 2023
DIL DIL SHUBMAN GILL! 🙌🏽 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/mynjenlarW
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 18, 2023
Only One Men Played Today.🔥#ShubmanGill#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/6P6afu8vtu
— Aviral Varshney ॐ (@AviralVarshney3) January 18, 2023
Most ODI Runs after 19 Inngs
🇮🇳Shubman Gill : 1102
🇵🇰Fakhar Zaman : 1089
🇵🇰Imam-ul-Haq : 1011Most runs after 20 & 21 Inngs in ODIs are 1089 & 1090, so Gill will hold the record in next 2 inngs as well even if he gets out on ducks.#IndvsNZ #ShubmanGill
— Prathik 🇮🇳 (@traphikp) January 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/TheDhoniEmpire/status/1615680744961241088
Welcome to rohit sharma academy of 200 🙏🙏
Yeh club ka mazza alag hai @ShubmanGill #RohithSharma🐐 #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/laweFFQ9l6— ΝΘᏴᏆͲᎪ🇮🇳🚩❤️💯 (@Nobita45264) January 18, 2023