Gill’s first century in T20, India made 234 runs for four wickets
Shubman Gill’s maiden T20 international century (126 not out) helped India post a mammoth 234 for four in the third and final match of the series against New Zealand here on Wednesday. Gill, continuing his excellent form, scored an unbeaten 126 in just 63 balls with the help of 12 fours and seven sixes. They thrashed the New Zealand bowlers all around at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Electing to bat after winning the toss, the Indian team did not start well and Mitchell Santner played a master stroke by giving Michael Bracewell the second over.
The off-spinner also lived up to his captain’s faith by dismissing Ishaan Kishan lbw on the second ball of the over. In-form Gill hit Lockie Ferguson for two fours in the next over. He doubled the entertainment for the spectators with hits, drives and pull shots. Gill hit Blair Tickner for three fours in the fifth over to take the score to 44 for one.
Young Rahul Tripathi (44 off 22 balls) also kept up the pace, hitting Ferguson for a four and a six off successive balls. Tripathi then hit Santner for a four and a straight six over short fine leg. He looked aggressive and hit Ish Sodhi over extra cover for his third six of the innings. But in an attempt to play such a big shot, Ferguson was caught at deep square leg. Gill scored his first T20 half-century in 35 balls by scoring a single off the ball of Santner.
Gill stood at one end and Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 13 balls) joined him at the crease, who also kept up the pace of adding runs, but was caught by Bracewell at mid-off in the 13th over. Gill completed his century in the first ball of the 18th over by hitting Ferguson for a four at mid-off. After this, he batted freely and sent the next ball of the same bowler for a huge six. Captain Hardik Pandya (30 off 17 balls) also did not let the run rate slow down. But after Gill’s century, he increased his aggression and New Zealand’s bowling attack looked weak.
