Ferocious counterattack in vain

• Published date: 20 January 2023
• Publication title: Sports Tab

Shubman Gill became the youngest batsman to score an ODI double hundred to lead India to a 12-run victory over the Black Caps in the first game of a three-match series

The 23-year-old Gill hit 208 off 149 balls, his third ODI hundred, and became the fifth Indian batsman to score a double century in the format after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan.

His innings helped India amass a huge 349 for eight on a slow pitch before Bracewell struck New Zealand’s third-fastest ODI hundred off only 57 balls as his side almost chased down the target.

New Zealand’s hopes in the chase looked all but dead and buried, but Bracewell smacked 140 off only 78 deliveries as the Black Caps were bowled out for 337.

With 20 needed off the last six balls, Shardul Thakur (two for 54) held his nerve as his slow yorker trapped Bracewell lbw.

Earlier, opting to bat, India made a good start, with Gill and Sharma putting on 60 for the first wicket.

But after Sharma went for 34, Mitchell Santner bowled Virat Kohli for eight and Kishan was caught behind for five.

Suryakumar Yadav (31) then added 65 with Gill, who reached his second ODI hundred in consecutive innings, after scoring 116 against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Gill went to his 150 off 122 balls before accelerating to strike another 58 off 27...