‘The next best score wasn’t even 40’ – Star Indian batter full of praise for Shubman Gill after his sensational double hundred against New Zealand

Star Indian batter Shubman Gill entered the exclusive club of ODI double centurions during the first ODI against New Zealand in Hyderabad. The swashbuckling opener scored 208 off 149 balls with 19 fours and 9 sixes to help India score a mammoth 349/8 after opting to bat first.

Gill almost single-handedly took India to a huge total, with the next best score being captain Rohit Sharma’s 34 off 38 balls. Former skipper Virat Kohli, who himself fell on 8 off 10 balls after having scored centuries in his last two ODIs, was full of praise for Gill.

“I would call it outstanding. Especially considering that the next best score wasn’t even 40, and the fact that he got a double hundred was a knock at a very, very high level,” said Kohli in a video uploaded by Indian Cricket Board.

“I think he was totally in his element today and showed why so many people have been saying such great things about him for years. I wish him all the best. Hope he builds on this. Today it was just a privilege to watch him bat,” he said. Skipper Rohit Sharma was also all praise for Gill after the match. “Watching Gill bat is fantastic, clean striking and no aerial shots. We wanted to give him a run before the SL series the kind of form he was in. He’s such a free-flowing batsman,” he said.

Gill is the fifth Indian batter to have scored a double-century in the format. The 23-year-old is also the youngest male batter to have got to the milestone.

Michael Bracewell played a magnificent knock to take New Zealand close to victory

Coming back to the match, New Zealand gave India a mighty scare as Michael Bracewell played an innings for the ages to take his side from 131/6 to 337, just 12 runs short of India’s total. Bracewell played a breathtaking knock of 140 off 78 balls as he ripped apart Indian bowling by clobbering 12 fours and 10 sixes in his innings.

Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers for India who picked up 4/46 in 10 overs.  Gill was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding knock.