OTD 2023: Shubman Gill became youngest Indian to score double century in ODIs

Star India batter Shubman Gill etched his name into the history books when he slammed his maiden double century in international cricket during the first ODI against New Zealand, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, on January 18, 2023.

India Skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first on a tricky surface. He scored a quickfire 34 and stitched a 60-run stand with Shubman. After the veteran departed, the Fazilika-born held the fort, even as he lost partners from the other end. Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan were dismissed for single-digit scores before Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya gave the Punjab batter good company.

Shubman brought up his half-century off just 52 balls with a six. He scored some quick runs right after each of Rohit, Kohli, Ishan, and Suryakumar's dismissals. The right-handed batter brought up his century in the 30th over, moments after Suryakumar's wicket.

In the death overs, Shubman took Blair Tickner and Lockie Ferguson to the cleaners. He hit two sixes in Tickner's 48th over and three more in Lockie's 49th to bring up his double century. Glenn Phillips eventually took a stunning catch to end Shubman's magnificent knock. The latter finished on 208 off 149 balls, hitting 19 fours and nine sixes. The second-highest run-scorer in the Indian innings was Rohit.

The Men in Blue posted a daunting total of 349/8 in their 50 overs on the back of Shubman's awe-inspiring assault.

Check out Shubman Gill's epic knock here:

New Zealand nearly chased down India's target

In reply, New Zealand lost six wickets for just 131 runs. However, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner forged a brilliant partnership of 162 runs to give the tourists hopes of a remarkable come-from-behind win. Santner was dismissed for 57 off 45 balls.

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But Bracewell wasn't ready to throw in the towel. The southpaw eventually departed after playing a swashbuckling knock of 140 off just 78 balls. India won the match by just 12 runs as the Kiwis were eventually bowled out for 337 in 49.2 overs. Shubman was fittingly adjudged Player of the Match.