Shubman Gill Continues Dominance With Record-Breaking Century At Ahmedabad ODI
India's vice-captain Shubman Gill set new benchmarks with his phenomenal performance at the Narendra Modi Stadium, solidifying his place among cricket's elite.
India's Shubman Gill showcased his remarkable talent during the third One-Day International (ODI) against England held on February 12, 2025. With his stunning innings of 112 runs off just 102 balls, Gill not only led India to a formidable score of 356, but also etched his name in the record books as the fastest batter to reach 2,500 ODI runs, accomplishing this feat in his 50th innings.
Gill's innings included 14 boundaries and three sixes, highlighting his aggressive yet calculated approach at the crease. His performance is reflective of his consistency; this was his seventh century in ODIs. The Indian opener is now recognized as one of the format's most reliable players, underscored by his recent scores of 87 and 60 earlier in the series.
Gearing up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Gill's accomplishments continue to pile up. He surpassed the previous record set by South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who reached 2,500 runs in 51 innings. Along with this feat, Gill's total of 2587 runs after 50 ODI innings showcases his remarkable growth and skill.
Gill's love affair with the Narendra Modi Stadium is well-documented. He previously scored his highest T20I score of 126 not out against New Zealand and his first Test century at the same venue, demonstrating not only his prowess with the bat but his affinity for this ground.
During the match, after the early dismissal of captain Rohit Sharma, Gill strategically anchored the innings. He partnered with Virat Kohli to form a significant 116-run partnership, stabilizing the team's innings before adding another century stand with Shreyas Iyer. Gill's cool demeanor and tactical gameplay allowed him to rotate the strike efficiently and capitalize on loose deliveries.
After reaching his century, Gill celebrated with typical humility, bowing to the crowd, embodying both the enormity of his achievements and the pride of his teammates and fans. His maturity at the crease is reminiscent of legends past, drawing comparisons with players like Matthew Hayden and Gary Kirsten, though with his own unique flair. Gill employs the art of walking down the track, unsettling pacers and commanding attention, making it seem effortless.
Former Indian pacer Karsan Ghavri noted the evolution of Gill’s game, stating, “He has developed the walking shot for white-ball cricket, and I hope he doesn’t run down the track during Tests!” This clever tactic keeps bowlers guessing, disrupting their rhythm, and forcing them to change their lengths.
With two significant partnerships under his belt during the match, Gill's performance is indicative of his upward momentum within the cricketing world. The standout knocks across formats position him favorably for future accolades and honors, as he aims to ascend to the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings.
Shubman Gill’s rising star brightened the day for Indian fans, who witnessed another record-breaking performance at Ahmedabad. His relentless pursuit of greatness continues as he now sits just behind Pakistan’s Babar Azam on the batting leaderboard, pushing for the top spot.
His achievements don't just mark personal milestones; they highlight Gill's role as pivotal to India's aspirations on the international stage. With the ICC Champions Trophy on the horizon, Gill’s ability to deliver under pressure will be integral to the team’s success.
At this stage, the cricketing community finds itself watching with anticipation, eager to see how Gill and the Indian squad will fare. His record-breaking innings not only signify individual brilliance but also reflect the depth of talent within Indian cricket.
All eyes now turn to future fixtures, where Shubman Gill seeks to extend his record-breaking form and lead India to glory on the world stage.