Shubman Gill forces 1983 WC winner to bow down after ruthless criticism: "I surrender to you"

Kris Srikkanth has taken a U-turn, as the former Indian chief selector hailed Shubman Gill for his outstanding performance in the ongoing three-match ODI series opener against England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

Shubman Gill played a brilliant knock of 87 runs off 96 balls, laced with 14 boundaries, as well as stitched a crucial 94-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who also played a stunning knock of 59 runs off 36 balls laced with nine boundaries and two sixes, to help India recover from 19/2 in Nagpur.

Shubman Gill’s composed knock takes India to a 4-wicket victory over England in the 1st ODI

Gill and Iyer both played crucial roles in India’s four-wicket win over England in the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. After the Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match ODI series against England, Srikkanth has labeled Gill’s innings as an intelligent knock.

Kris Srikkanth, who earlier criticized Gill and his place in the playing XI, mentioned how the Punjab lad played a mature game and patiently built his innings without rushing for big shots, especially against Adil Rashid, who eventually got the better of India’s vice-captain in Nagpur.

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Today I surrender to Shubman Gill completely: Kris Srikkanth

However, the former Indian skipper credited Shreyas Iyer for setting the stage for Gill to take control and play his natural game in the first ODI against England. However, Srikkanth was impressed with Gill’s maturity during his composed knock that earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.

Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, “He played a brilliant knock. Today I surrender to you completely. Shubman Gill played a very mature knock. More than mature, it was an intelligent knock. Shreyas Iyer had done all the work and had handed over the innings to Gill. He didn’t have to do much. He took his own time and did not go for big shots, especially against Adil Rashid. He played his normal game. Congrats, Gill, for getting the Player of the Match award.”

Shubman Gill becomes the fastest Indian to reach 20 fifty-plus scores in ODI cricket

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has made history by becoming the fastest Indian to score 20 fifty-plus scores in ODI cricket. The right-handed batter reached this milestone in just 48 innings, setting a new record for India in the 50-over format.

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Previously, Shreyas Iyer held the record for the fastest Indian to score 20 fifty-plus scores in ODI cricket, having achieved this feat in 50 innings. Apart from Iyer and Gill, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shikhar Dhawan also achieved this feat in the format quickly.

Navjot Singh Sidhu sits at the third spot with 52 innings, followed by Virat Kohli (56 innings), KL Rahul (56), and Shikhar Dhawan (57). Notably, Shubman has so far amassed 2415 runs in 48 ODIs at a remarkable average of 58.90 since making his ODI debut in 2019.

His tally includes 6 centuries and 14 half-centuries, with a highest score of 208. Now, Gill would love to continue his sublime form in the remaining two ODIs against England to go high into the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19.