Shubman Gill becomes fastest Indian to 500 ODI runs after scoring 3(7) against South Africa

New Delhi: Shubman Gill became the fastest Indian to 500 ODI runs after the first ODI game against South Africa. Since his inclusion in the white ball side, he is enjoying a good run in the 50-over format. He achieved this feat in just 10 innings breaking Navjot Singh Sidhu’s record of 11 innings.

The fun thing in this record was that Gill was only able to score three runs off seven balls in the inning. Before the game, he stood at 499 ODI runs and the three runs took his mark to 502, with an average of 62.75 at a fine strike rate of 104.36. He has scored one century and three half-centuries with the highest score of 130 so far. He made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2019. While he has been a part of the Test side consistently, he is making a mark in the ODIs also.

In the game, Gill did not see up to the mark and got out off an inside edge to Kagiso Rabada in the third over. Chasing a huge total, India got to a poor start after losing Gill’s wicket for just eight runs. Not just Gill, but the Indian batting line-up looked to struggle against the post-rain seaming and spinning conditions.

After the match was reduced to 40 overs per side, Janeman Malana and Quinton de Kock gave a fine start to South Africa. Shardul Thakur did what he does best, that is, breaking partnerships. He also went on to dismiss Temba Bavuma with a beautiful cross-seam delivery.  In the next over Kuldeep bowled a magical delivery to dismiss Aiden Markram and Ravi Bishnoi got de Cock to lead the Proteas to 110/4 in the 23rd over. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller played sensible and attacking innings to hit 139 runs in the next 17.4 overs. Klaasen scored 74(65) while in form Miller scored 75(63).

India had a poor start after both the openers returned to the pavilion with just eight runs on the board. Shreyas Iyer’s 50 off 37 and Sanju Samson’s fine finish with 86* off 63 balls brought India closer but could not help it to win. Lungi Ngidi’s 3 for 52 was the key to South Africa’s victory by 9 runs.