No Indian batter as looked more in-form than Shubman Gill over the past couple of series and tours. After finishing as the highest run-scorer in the three-match ODI series against West Indies, having scored 205 runs in three matches at an average of 102.5, he also finished as the highest scorer on the tour of Zimbabwe.
Gill smashed 245 runs in three matches this time at an astonishing average of 122.50 and also won another player of the series award following his triumph in the Caribbean. In both cases, his efforts helped India secured 3-0 whitewashes.
However, finally registering his maiden international ton was the highlight of the tour for the promising opening batter. In the third ODI against West Indies, he had looked in extremely good touch but was left stranded at 98* after rain stopped play multiple times and shortened the length of the game, thus, not allowing Gill to reach the three-figure-mark.
He went on to make up for it in the final match against Zimbabwe where he starred with a knock of 130 off 97 deliveries. His innings, played at a strike rate of 134.02, included 15 boundaries and a six.
After reaching his maiden ton, Gill had a conversation with wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan on BCCI.tv as India secured a thrilling 13-run victory despite Sikandar Raza’s heroics for the opposition. The opener revealed that he had met former Indian superstar Yuvraj Singh just ahead of the tour and the left-handed all-rounder had advised him to bat deep as it would increase his chances of scoring a century.
“I just met him before coming to Zimbabwe and he told me that I was batting well. He advised me to bat deep if I get set. I was telling him ke 100 nahi aa raha (I am not getting 100). He told me not to worry, it will come,” Gill said.
Yuvraj went on to heap plenty of praise on Gill when he did achieve his target and scored his maiden ton in international cricket in the final ODI. “Finally!!! Well played @ShubmanGill u seriously deserved that Ton! Congratulations on your first 100. Many more to come this is just a start,” Yuvraj wrote on Twitter.
