Team India cricketer Shubman Gill’s blistering double-century stole the show in the first ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday, January 18 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The hosts went on to win the close encounter by 12 runs, as they successfully defended 349 runs. The opener celebrated his 208 runs knock with his teammates in the dressing room.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India shared a video on social media from the celebrations. Shubman Gill celebrated by cutting a cake following India’s win. He was applauded by his teammates in the video, who hailed the opening batter. All-rounder Hardik Pandya termed Gill’s knock as “one of the best innings” he has seen in his life. He said,
“Surreal, one of the best innings I’ve seen in my life. Even if he did not get the double hundred, it would still be one of the best innings I’ve seen in my life. So much grace, and such effortless shot-making. I don’t usually get goosebumps but when he got the double hundred I actually got goosebumps.”
Sharing the video on Twitter, the BCCI wrote,
“Double Century Double the celebration#TeamIndia members describe @shubmangill‘s incredible Double Ton in Hyderabad in their own style#INDvNZ”
Double Century ✅
Double the celebration 👌#TeamIndia members describe @shubmangill's incredible Double Ton in Hyderabad in their own style 😎#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/UTf7oOJds4— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2023
He was totally in his element: Virat Kohli lauds Shubman Gill
Veteran India batter Virat Kohli was all praise for opening batter and double centurion Shubman Gill. He termed the youngster’s knock “outstanding” as the second-best score in the innings was Rohit Sharma’s 34 runs. Praising Shubman Gill in the video shared by the BCCI, Virat Kohli said,
“I’d call it outstanding, considering that the next best score wasn’t even 40. The fact that he got a double hundred was outstanding, it was a knock of a very high level. I think he was totally in his element today. So many people have been saying so many great things about him for so many years. I wish him all the best. I hope that he builds on this and today was just a privilege to watch him bat. Outstanding knock.”
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