IND vs WI: It Was Bittersweet, Says Shubman Gill After Rain Robs Him Of Maiden ODI Hundred

Shubman Gill, a young India opener, acknowledged that the third ODI against the West Indies was a bittersweet experience for him since while falling short of reaching his first ODI hundred by 2 runs, his contribution of 98 not out helped the hosts win the game. 

Shubman Gill top-scored with 205 runs, including 2 fifties, at a healthy strike rate of over 100 in the 3-match ODI series. He did enough to retain himself in the mix in the ODI set-up even when the big names return to the format. 

A run-a-ball 98 on Wednesday showed off Gill’s remarkable shot-making skills, but the weather in Port of Spain prevented him from reaching his first ODI hundred. India’s innings came to an end at 225 for 3 as Gill was 98 off 98 at the conclusion of the 36th over when the skies opened up again.

I Was Expecting To Get 100, Wanted One More Over: Shubman Gill

Even in the first two One Day Internationals, Gill had started, but the youthful opener was unable to turn them into huge scores. However, on Wednesday, Gill put his head down and played about with the West Indies bowling attack. 

“It was bittersweet, I was expecting to get 100. It was not under my control as it rained, but I was happy with my innings. I was disappointed with how I got out in the first two matches, I tried to rotate the strike,” Gill said after winning the Player of the Series award. 

Shubman Gill mentioned that he and Shreyas Iyer swapped strategies after the first rain break and that he needed just one more over before the rain break to get the three-figure score for the first time. When play resumed after the first break, the visitors upped the ante and scored 110 runs in the following 12 overs while India was 115 for 1 in 24 overs. 

“After the rain break, we let our instincts take over. I just wanted one more over when we walked out before the last break. The wickets were good,” Gill added.

India Completes Series Whitewash

With skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who scored his second fifty of the series in the series decider, Gill had put up a 113-run opening stand. After the first rain delay, he added a rapid 86-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who batted well for his 34-ball 44. 

India bowled the West Indies out for 137 and completed their first-ever ODI series whitewash in the West Indies by relying on Mohammed Siraj’s early blows and Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4-wicket haul. 

Starting on Friday, July 29, India and West Indies will compete in a 5-match T20I series. Shubman Gill was not selected for the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team. 

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