Sports

Gill’s first double century, New Zealand got the target of 350 runs

Opener Shubman Gill scored a maiden double century as India posted 349 for eight in the opening ODI against New Zealand here on Wednesday. Gill faced 149 balls and scored 208 runs in which 19 fours and nine sixes were hit. He stayed at the crease throughout the innings but did not support him at the other end. Captain Rohit Sharma scored 34 runs in 38 balls, being the second best scorer of the innings. After showing his talent in the Under-19 World Cup 2018, Gill is being touted as the next star in Indian cricket.

He hit six sixes in his innings after completing 150 runs. It was his second consecutive three-point inning. India won the toss and elected to bat after a good fight between the openers and the New Zealand pacers that saw the hosts post 52 runs without losing a wicket in the first 10 overs. Lockie Ferguson was bowling quick from one end and he was lucky in the fourth over of the innings when he could not time the pull shot.

But after this, Gill hit a brilliant cover drive shot in his next over. Rohit hit Henry Shipley (2/74) for two sixes, was in good touch and was on course to play a big innings but was caught at mid-on by Blair Tickner in the 13th over. His catch was caught by Mitchell Santner. Indian fans usually go silent when a wicket falls but after Rohit’s dismissal, sports fans greeted superstar Virat Kohli with thunderous applause.

Kohli (08 runs), who scored three centuries in the last four innings, played a brilliant cover drive shot but was bowled by a beautiful ball from left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. The ball pitched towards the off-stump and his bails were blown, which Kohli dodged. Ishaan Kishan, who was not included in the team for the series against Sri Lanka, was dropped in the middle order, but he too could not stay at the crease for long and was caught by wicketkeeper Tom Latham by touching the bat off Ferguson’s ball. Suryakumar Yadav (31 runs) came to the crease and along with Gill increased the run rate of the innings.

He hit four fours around the ground while at the other end, Gill brought up his half-century with a slog sweep off spinner Michael Bracewell. Gill was still given a life when he was on 45, when Latham missed a stumping opportunity. But from then on, Gill did not look back and used his favorite pull shots against the fast bowlers and used his feet against the spinners. Gill completed his third ODI century by one run.

After Suryakumar returned to the pavilion, Gill shared a 74-run partnership with Hardik Pandya (28 runs). Hardik was dismissed in an awkward fashion, missing a cut shot off Santner and the bails fell, prompting New Zealand to appeal for bowled. Latham thought the balls might have fallen from his gloves but he wasn’t sure. It was not clear even in the replays but the third umpire gave the decision in favor of the visiting team. India were inching towards 300 and Gil Bracewell reached 150 with a six over deep mid-wicket. After this achievement, he started batting freely and reached the milestone of 200 runs in the 49th over with consecutive dizzying sixes. Gill’s quick batting helped India add 57 runs in the last five overs.

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