Shubman Gill missed the chance to topple Babar Azam for the World No 1 batter in ICC ODI Rankings. Indian Cricket’s Prince entered the India vs Australia series needing just 200 runs to become World No 1 for the first time. With a 74-run knock in the first ODI, he smashed 97-ball 104 in the IND vs AUS 2nd ODI in Indore. But he fell just 22 runs short. He would have another opportunity in Rajkot but as BCCI decided to rest him, Babar Azam has an advantage now to continue dominance as World No 1 ODI batter ahead of World Cup. Pakistan face Netherlands on Oct 6 and the Pak captain can extend his dominance at the top.
Shubman will be up against Australia on Oct 8 in World Cup. But if Babar does well against Netherlands, path won’t be easy for Shubman Gill.
This was Shubman Gill’s 5th century in 2023 and with World Cup yet to come, he is definitely eying Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most runs in a calendar year.
Babar Azam is the current No 1 batter in ODIs with 857 rating points in ICC ODI Rankings. Shubman Gill has 814 rating points and occupies 2nd spot. All Shubman Gill needs to do is score 200 runs in three innings. He has already scored two half-centuries.
Before Shubman could surpass him in ICC Rankings, he stitched together 7th century stand in ODIs to take that crown as well. Babar Azam held the record of most 100-run partnerships in 2023 with 6. Now, Gill holds the record.
Shubman Gill eyes Tendulkar’s records
- Gill has 5 centuries in 20 matches in 2023.
- Sachin Tendulkar smashed 9 centuries in 34 matches in 1998.
- If Gill scores another four tons in the remaining ODIs in 2023, he will equal the legend.
- He can break another record held by Tendulkar if he scores another 600-odd runs.
- Tendulkar holds the record for most ODI runs in a calendar year with 1894 runs.
- Gill has already scored 1200+ runs and with 13-15 games to go, he can surpass Tendulkar.
