 "IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill's spectacular century in Ahmedabad a reassurance for India's batting ahead of Champions Trophy")
In the third and final ODI against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill showcased his class with a magnificent century, reaffirming his stature as one of the most promising young batters in world cricket. Gill’s sublime knock not only helped India seal the series 3-0 but also provided a much-needed sense of stability to India’s batting line-up ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Opening the innings after England put India into bat, Gill displayed remarkable composure and technique to notch up his seventh ODI century, reaching the landmark off 95 balls. The 25-year-old’s innings was filled with elegant stroke play, precise shot selection and a measured approach that highlighted his growing maturity as a batter.
His innings was not just another hundred; it was a record-breaking performance. Gill became the fastest batter to reach 2500 runs in ODIs, achieving the feat in just 50 innings, surpassing South African great Hashim Amla, who had previously set the record in 51 innings. Furthermore, during this innings, he also crossed the 5,000-run milestone in international cricket, showcasing his remarkable consistency across formats.
Shubman Gill continues his Ahmedabad love story
Having already made valuable contributions of 87 and 60 in the first two ODIs, Gill’s century in the third game took his series tally to an impressive 259 runs. This consistent run of scores propelled him to the second spot in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings, overtaking Indian skipper Rohit Sharma.
Gill’s affinity for the Ahmedabad pitch was once again on full display. The venue has been a happy hunting ground for him, as he has scored prolifically across formats at the stadium. It was here that he registered his highest T20I score—an unbeaten 126 against New Zealand in February 2023. A month later, he scored a sublime 128 against Australia in a Test match during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With an average close to 80 at the venue across nine innings, Ahmedabad has emerged as one of his most dominant batting arenas.
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View AllThis innings also reinforced the belief that Gill is best suited to open the batting for India in ODIs. In the first match of the series at Jamtha, India experimented with Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers, pushing Gill down to No. 3. However, his performance as an opener in the next two matches proved his effectiveness at the top. His ability to adapt to match situations—whether anchoring the innings or accelerating when needed—makes him an invaluable asset in the 50-over format.
While Gill’s ODI form has been impeccable, questions have been raised about his transition into Test cricket, particularly at No. 3. He endured a difficult time during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, struggling to make a significant impact. However, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir had a firm message for critics and fans, urging them to be patient with young players like Gill.
“The problem is that we keep judging players after every innings,” said Gambhir in the press conference after India’s series win.
“He [Gill] is still a young batter, he is still 25. He has got a great future ahead of him. And if he has been consistent in one format, Test cricket is tough cricket and he has shown that he belongs to that level. I hope that going forward, he can deliver in that format as well. If someone can be consistent in 50-over cricket, they can do that in Test cricket as well.
“By judging a cricketer after every innings, we are not going to carry forward Indian cricket like that. We have to start putting trust in these young players. He is still 25, just imagine what can happen in the next couple of years if we keep backing him and a lot of other cricketers in that dressing room.”
Gambhir’s faith in Gill is evident, as he played a crucial role in elevating the young batter to the leadership group in the Indian team. Under Gambhir’s tenure as head coach, Gill was appointed as the vice-captain in the white-ball formats in Sri Lanka last year. While he is not part of the T20I side due to the emergence of players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, he remains a key figure in India’s ODI and Test squads.
Shubman Gill’s form a positive sign for India ahead of Champions Trophy
Gill’s recent form bodes well for India ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With Rohit and Virat Kohli struggling for consistency in recent months, Gill’s resurgence offers a glimmer of hope. His ability to play long, impactful innings under pressure is precisely what India needs as they prepare for the prestigious tournament.
A Shubman Gill Special 💯
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2025
Watch #TeamIndia Vice-captain's 7th ODI TON 🎥🔽#INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @ShubmanGill https://t.co/3IMLIRXDet
Speaking after the match, Gambhir also emphasised how Gill has embraced the added responsibility of leadership and used it to elevate his game.
“It’s just the start. Hopefully, he can keep his head on his shoulders. He’s learning every day and he’s actually taken off that leadership role in a very positive way as well. He’s been appointed as the vice-captain. Once you get that responsibility and see how consistent he was in the series, hopefully he can continue going forward and in the Champions Trophy as well,” Gambhir told Star Sports, the official broadcaster for this series.
Gill’s hundred against England serves as a timely reminder of his immense talent and adaptability. If he continues his rich vein of form, he could be India’s key batting pillar in the Champions Trophy and beyond. With the right guidance and faith from the team management, Gill has the potential to lead India’s batting lineup into a new era of dominance in ODI cricket.
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