Shubman Gill’s memorable double century inspired India to a thrilling 12-run win over New Zealand in their ODI series opener on Wednesday.
Gill’s massive knock of 208 proved crucial despite Michael Bracewell (140) leading a superb New Zealand fightback attempt at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Bracewell’s heroics were not enough, however, with India finally ending his resistance in the last over.
Generally, it proved a tricky track for batting, with Rohit Sharma the hosts’ second-highest scorer on just 34.
But this was all about Gill, whose aggression ensured India’s momentum rarely waned even as wickets tumbled around him, the team reaching 349-8.
He got lucky just before reaching 50 as an outside edge off Bracewell was dropped by Tom Latham, but he powered on and tallied his century off just 86 balls.
It was Gill’s ruthless approach in the final three overs that was ultimately decisive. Two sixes in the 48th and then a hat-trick of maximums in the 49th saw him surpass 200, before eventually falling to a brilliant Glenn Phillips catch in the last.
It took a while for New Zealand to look capable of threatening India’s total, finding themselves in deep trouble at 131-6 in the 29th over.
With the Black Caps floundering, Bracewell had nothing to lose and made a mockery of the India attack.
His 140 off just 78, hitting an astonishing 10 sixes and 12 fours, ensured New Zealand were still in contention in the final over, requiring 13 runs off five balls.
But Shardul Thakur’s yorker snared Bracewell lbw, just clipping his heel for the final wicket, leaving India rather relieved with New Zealand 337 all out.
Gill goes into the record books
With his exquisite knock, Gill became the only Indian batter to score a double century against New Zealand in the 50-over format.
He is the fifth batter from India to hit 200 or more in an ODI, while he is the joint-second fastest player to reach 1,000 ODI runs, alongside Pakistan’s Iman-ul-Haq (19 innings).
Gill had nine sixes and a further 19 fours in his memorable 149-ball knock.
Siraj sharp with the ball
Mohammed Siraj was the only bowler to take more than two wickets on the day, ending with figures of 4-46.
He could not remove Bracewell, with Shardul eventually claiming that honour, but Siraj undoubtedly played a key role here, with the dangerous Mitchell Santner (57) and captain Latham (24) among his scalps.
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