India's star batter Shubman Gill clobbered a brilliant century in the third ODI against India at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (January 15).
Having already clinched the series 2-0, India opted to bat first in the dead rubber. The dazzling duo of Rohit Sharma and Gill came out to open India's innings and gave India a cracking start. Skipper Rohit struck an impressive 42 off 49 before handing a catch to Avishka Fernando off Chamika Karunaratne's bowl in the 16th over. But the rigid Gill alongside Virat Kohli continued his onslaught and went on bring a scintillating century and justified his spot in India's fold.
Team management reposed faith on Gill over Ishan Kishan while announcing the India's squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka despite the southpaw's stellar double ton in the ODI series against Bangladesh. Gill put all those doubts to rest which emerge right ahead of the series.
It was Gill's second ODI century as he took just 89 balls to reach the landmark which saw him smoking 11 fours and two big ones. He brought up his second ODI century in just 18th one-day International appearance.
Witnessing Gill's masterclass, fans went wild as he was seen soaking up the applause with a bowing gesture.
Here's the video..
Interestingly, the 23-year-old is now the second-youngest Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to score a century against Sri Lanka in ODI cricket.
The opener has been in sublime form in the series and had smashed a fiery 70 in the 1st ODI. Gill carried on this time around and registered his 1st ODI ton in India off just 89 deliveries.
Meanwhile, Kohli also completed his half-century a ball before Gill. Then the two batters put Jeffrey Vandersay under the blade, with the duo smashing a combined 17 runs — including 4 fours — as they continued to pile the pressure on their opponents.
With Gill looking strong, trotting toward a big score and taking India with him, the Sri Lankans needed a fast breakthrough. It was then that pacer Kasun Rajitha did the needful to send Gill back to the pavilion after scoring 116 runs off 97 deliveries, with a ball that was low as the Gujarat Titans (GT) batter charged forward to expose his stumps as the ball crashed into off and middle. His massive partnership of 131 runs with Kohli earned Gill major applause. He even received a pat on his back from the former India skipper,
