"Dil Dil Shubman Gill!" - Indian cricket fraternity hails young Team India opener for fantastic double hundred 

Team India opener Shubman Gill created history on Wednesday, January 18, becoming the youngest batter to notch up a double hundred in ODIs. After India won the toss and batted first in the opening game against New Zealand in Hyderabad, Gill carried on his magnificent form and slammed 208 off 149 balls.

Thanks to the youngster’s heroics, Team India posted an imposing 349 for eight on the board in their 50 overs. Gill dominated the Kiwi bowling, striking 19 fours and nine sixes. The right-handed batter’s knock on Wednesday was his second consecutive three-figure score. He had earlier scored 116 off 97 balls in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, January 15.

Following his heroics in Hyderabad, Gill became only the fifth Indian batter to notch up a double ton in an ODI. Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma (thrice), and Ishan Kishan are the only other Men in Blue cricketers to achieve the feat before him.

From Yuvraj Singh to Virender Sehwag, members of the Indian cricket fraternity hailed Gill for his fantastic achievement. Below is a compilation of some reactions to the Indian opener’s double century on Wednesday:

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After India won the toss and batted first, Gill and skipper Rohit Sharma (34 off 38) added 60 runs for the opening wicket. Virat Kohli (eight) and Ishan Kishan (five) could not make significant contributions, but Gill found an ally in Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 26). The duo added 65 runs for the fourth wicket.

Following Suryakumar's dismissal, Hardik Pandya joined the well-set opener and the two combined for a 74-run fifth-wicket alliance. After Hardik also perished for 28, given out bowled in controversial fashion, Gill took over and single-handedly lifted the Men in Blue to an imposing total.

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“To get a double century in one-dayers is pretty cool” - Daryl Mitchell praises Shubman Gill

Following the conclusion of India’s innings, Kiwi all-rounder Daryl Mitchell praised Gill for his fantastic achievement. Speaking to the host broadcaster, he commented:

“That was good fun, amazing atmosphere here with all the crowd. They batted nicely. The way Gill batted was special. At the same time, if we can set a platform, build some partnerships and take it deep, you never know what can happen. Very special, to get a double century in one-dayers is pretty cool.”

Chasing 350, New Zealand got off to a disappointing start, losing Devon Conway for 10 in the sixth over of their innings.