In just 69 matches of his career, Shubman Gill has already established a remarkable legacy in ODI cricket, showcasing a batting prowess that is hard to match. As the West Indies series commenced, Gill boasted an impressive batting average of 60.33, a figure that has since soared to 65.12 after 241 balls and 369 minutes of play. This feat places him in a league of his own, as no player has achieved such a high average with more runs in this format. Only Virat Kohli and the legendary Michael Bevan have previously managed to maintain a 60-plus average at a similar stage in their careers.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of Gill’s game is his efficiency, which makes his double-century performances appear almost effortless, much like a serene walk along the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. Alongside his impressive average, Gill has achieved a strike rate of 103.45. This places him among a select group of just 24 players who have accumulated over 1,000 ODI runs while maintaining a strike rate above 100. His smooth style sets him apart from explosive hitters such as Shahid Afridi, Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers.
Gill employs a distinctive approach to batting, often favoring ground strokes over aerial ones. While his ability to clear the boundary is somewhat limited, he has shown that he can hit sixes with remarkable ease, whether through a drive over long-off, a flick over square-leg, or a well-placed jab over mid-wicket.
This combination of skills culminated in an outstanding performance at the ACA Stadium on Wednesday, where he led India to a 400-run victory—a feat that had only been achieved once before. The favorable pitch conditions, characterized by a flat surface, quick outfield, and short boundaries, significantly aided the batting side.
Achieving a double century in ODI cricket requires a flawless performance, a milestone that eluded the men’s game for nearly four decades and 2,961 matches. It was Sachin Tendulkar who first reached this landmark in 2010 with his unbeaten 200 against South Africa. In the following five years, five more double centuries were scored, with Rohit Sharma achieving the milestone twice, including a world record of 264 runs.
Since 2017, the number of double centuries has increased to 10, with 12 instances of players reaching this milestone. Each of these innings maximized scoring opportunities, featuring a mix of boundaries and sixes. Tendulkar’s innings against South Africa, for example, included only three sixes but was bolstered by an impressive 25 fours. Rohit Sharma’s 209 against Australia in Bengaluru showcased an even higher boundary count, with 12 fours and 16 sixes, while his subsequent innings against Sri Lanka included 33 fours and nine sixes.
Maxwell’s extraordinary 201* in 2023, achieved while batting at number five in a challenging situation, was another standout performance, although it was characterized by sheer determination.
In contrast, Gill’s approach to constructing a high-scoring innings is minimalistic yet effective. A two-time double centurion, he has demonstrated remarkable consistency since his 208 against New Zealand three years prior. His recent innings featured him batting second, a task that often presents unique challenges, yet he maintained his composure, earning him a distinguished place among the elite double-century scorers.
Gill not only recorded the fastest double century in ODI history, reaching the milestone off just 117 balls during a record chase of 406 runs, but he also showcased remarkable control throughout his innings, achieving over 90 percent in terms of delivery precision among all centurions in the match. With 100 of his 223 runs coming from well-timed aerial shots, he stood out as the only player to score 200 runs at a run rate exceeding 10, while also recording the lowest dot ball percentage for any double century with just 33 dot balls. His innings included 26 fours and eight sixes, emphasizing his exceptional batting prowess.
Fans can catch the upcoming match between India and the West Indies, the third ODI, scheduled to take place in New Chandigarh at 2 PM, available for viewing on the Star Sports Network and Jio Hotstar.
Lalith Kalidas serves as a Deputy Copy Editor on the sports team at The Indian Express (digital), where he focuses on cricket coverage.
Professional Background:
- Role: Member of the online sports desk, concentrating on cricket, particularly within India’s domestic circuit.
- Expertise: Known for data-driven storytelling and statistical analysis, he authors a weekly column called ‘Stats Corner’.
- Experience: Over six years in sports journalism, previously at Sportstar (part of The Hindu group) before joining The Indian Express in February 2024.
- Education: Holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Madras Christian College.
- Sports Background: A former cricketer with experience in state-level competitions in Kerala, which informs his technical insights into the game.
Notable Recent Work & Beats:
- Investigative Journalism: Authored a significant investigative series for The Indian Express on the Cricket Association of Puducherry, addressing issues such as shortcuts to higher leagues and questionable records.
- Major Events: Covered numerous events, including the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India and the T20 World Cup 2026.
- IPL Analysis: Provides thorough coverage of IPL auctions and the emergence of uncapped players.
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