Sports Desk: Opener Shubman Gill was instrumental in helping the Indian cricket team win the exciting match against New Zealand. While opening, Shubman scored the first double century of his ODI career. He scored an innings of 208 runs in 149 balls, in which he hit 19 fours and 9 sixes. On the basis of this innings of Shubman, India could score 349 runs. He was also awarded the Man of the Match award for this innings. However, after the end of the match, Shubman gave a statement that he had not thought of completing the double century, but changed his mind in the 47th over.
After the match, Shubman said, “I was eagerly waiting to go on the field and do what I want to do. With wickets falling, there were times when I wanted to play freely and I’m glad I could do that in the end. Sometimes when the bowler is on top, you need to make him feel the pressure. Need to avoid dot balls, need to show some intent and hit hard in the gaps. That’s what I was doing.
On the double hundred, he said, “I wasn’t really thinking about 200, but once I hit sixes in the 47th over, I felt I could do it.” Before that, I was playing what was coming to me. He (Kishan) is one of my best teammates. I was there when he scored his ODI double hundred and it was special. It feels good when something you want to do happens on a regular basis. Definitely feeling satisfied. The double century has sunk in quite nicely. The game went further than I expected.
Let us tell you that the Indian cricket team has defeated the visiting team by registering a thrilling win in the first match of the three ODI series against New Zealand. Batting first, India scored 349 runs losing 5 wickets. When the New Zealand team landed in reply, they came close and lost the match by 12 runs. Although the match was almost won by New Zealand, as they needed 13 runs from the last 5 balls, the team collapsed when Michael Bracewell (140) was dismissed.
