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Indian openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have become the first pair to share 14 fifty-plus stands in a calendar year of ODI cricket history. Gill and Rohit broke the record with a 71-run partnership against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal clash at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The previous record belonged to former Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden who shared 13 fifty-plus partnerships from 26 innings in 2007.
Gill and Sharma achieved the feat in just 21 innings in 2023. The dynamic duo has scored 1,493 runs for the opening wicket in 2023 with the highest partnership of 212. They have shared five 100-plus partnerships and nine fifty-plus stands during this period.
The only other pair in 2023 to score 1,000 or more runs in the format are Afghan openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. They have put on 1,059 runs together including four 100-plus partnerships and one fifty-plus stand. Their highest partnership was 256 runs.
After winning the toss, Rohit opted to bat first. He put the pressure on New Zealand bowlers early on by using the fielding restrictions. He scored 47 runs from just 29 balls featuring four fours and as many sixes. Rohit missed his half-century as Tim Southee got the better of him in the ninth over.
Gill accelerated after Rohit departed. His attacking approach let Virat Kohli settle in the middle instead of taking risks early on in his innings. Gill reached his half-century from 41 balls in the 14th over. Gill targetted the Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner as well. But soon cramps got the better of him in Mumbai’s hot and humid weather. The painkillers did not help him and eventually Rohit sent the message that he should get retired hurt instead of relying on big hits which may have led to his wicket.
Gill scored 79 runs from 65 balls before walking off the field and retiring hurt. His knock featured eight fours and three sixes.
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