Shubman Gill Hits 7,000-Run Milestone with 154 as India Equal 400-Plus Record

Shubman Gill led from the front with a commanding performance as India posted a massive total and registered multiple milestones in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow.

The Indian skipper completed 7,000 runs in international cricket during a sensational knock of 154 in 110 balls, striking 22 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 140.00 despite battling heat and cramps.

In 140 matches and 173 innings, Gill has now scored 7,029 runs at an average of 46.24 and a strike rate of 81.87, including 21 centuries and 29 fifties, with a best score of 269.

Across formats, Gill has accumulated 2,969 runs in 41 Tests at an average of 44.37, with 11 centuries and eight fifties in 74 innings.

In ODIs, his most productive format, he has scored 3,191 runs in 63 matches at an average of 59.09, including nine centuries and 18 fifties, with a best of 208.

In T20Is, he has 869 runs from 36 matches at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate of 138.59, including a century and three fifties.

Gill’s innings also featured one of the fastest 150s by an Indian, reaching the milestone in 108 balls, the third quickest behind Ishan Kishan’s 103-ball effort against Bangladesh in 2022 and Virat Kohli’s 106-ball effort against Sri Lanka in 2023.

His century came in just 77 balls, making it the fourth-fastest by an Indian captain in ODIs, with Rohit Sharma’s 63-ball ton against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup remaining the fastest.

He shared a crucial 224-run partnership for the third wicket with Ishan Kishan, who scored 125 in 79 balls with 14 fours and seven sixes.

This stand is the third-highest for India for the third wicket, with Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid’s 237-run partnership against Kenya in 1999 still the highest.

Their effort also marked the first instance of two Indian batters scoring centuries in 80 or fewer balls in the same ODI, and only the eighth such occurrence overall in men’s ODIs.

India’s dominant batting display saw them post 402 all out in 49.5 overs, marking the eighth time they have crossed the 400-run mark in ODIs, equalling South Africa for the most such totals.

England follow with seven 400-plus scores, while Australia have three. India’s highest ODI total remains 418/5 against the West Indies in 2011.

Shreyas Iyer also reached a personal milestone during the match, completing 3,000 runs in ODI cricket. He scored 26 in 24 balls, including a four and a six, at a strike rate of over 108.

In 78 ODIs and 72 innings, Iyer has amassed 3,015 runs at an average of 45.68, with five centuries and 23 fifties.

Iyer became the joint second-fastest Indian to reach the milestone, achieving it in the same number of innings as Shikhar Dhawan, while Gill remains the fastest, having reached the mark in 62 innings.

However, Iyer’s form this year has been underwhelming, with just 98 runs in five innings at an average of 19.60 and a best score of 49.

(With inputs from ANI)