Shubman gill is enjoying his purple patch ever since his return to the ODI team in 2022. He has been giving back-to-back amazing performances to ensure his place in the side. His stellar form also saw the team management take a bold decision of moving on from veteran batter Shikhar Dhawan in the ODI format just a few months before the 2023 ODI World cup. With his consistent performances, he has been jamming doors for Shikhar’s return to the national side.
On Saturday, he played an unbeaten knock of 40 runs in the second ODI match following his sensational knock of 208 runs in the first ODI match against New Zealand. Gill has already smashed two centuries out of 5 ODI games India has played in 2023. On Wednesday (January 18), Gill created history by becoming the fifth Indian to score a double century in the format. Playing a sensational knock, Gill joined the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan in the elite list of Indian batsmen to hit a double-century in ODIs.
He has been receiving massive praise from all corners of the cricket fraternity. Among many, former Indian captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar also hailed Gill’s incredible effort. The cricketer-turned-commentator went the extra mile as he gave the youngster a new nickname on live TV during the 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand.
Impressed with his smooth shots, Gavaskar called Gill ‘Smoothman Gill’. The legendary batter said: “I have given you a new nickname, Smoothman Gill. I hope you don’t mind,”
Responding to the statement, the 23-year-old came up with a priceless reaction. Gill said: “I don’t mind at all, sir,”
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the 2nd ODI match to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Both the teams will be now locking their horns with each other in the dead rubber 3rd ODI match.
