Shubman Gill scored a double century against West Indies A in the third unofficial Test at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad on Thursday. Gill became the youngest to score a first-class double century for an Indian representative team aged 19 years 334 days, breaking the previous record of Gautam Gambhir who was 20 and had scored a double-century for India’s Board President XI’s team against Zimbabwe in 2002.
Shubman Gill slams record-breaking double hundred
Gill scored an unbeaten 204 runs from 250 deliveries which included 19 fours and two sixes at an impressive strike rate of 81.60. After the top-order collapsed, Gill made sure that he makes up for the golden duck in the first innings. He shared an unbeaten 315-run partnership for the fifth wicket with India A skipper Hanuma Vihari, who hit 118 as India A declared on 365/4, giving West Indies A a target of 373. Interestingly, Gill was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings.
India A has dominated in their tour of the West Indies, winning the one-dayers 4-1 and they have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ‘Test’ series. Gill was the leading run-getter in the one-day series when he smashed 218 runs in four games at an average of 77.
The Punjab batsman played one game for India in the tour of New Zealand in February and many believe that he was unlucky to have missed out on selection for the 2019 World Cup where India was eliminated in the semi-final with their 18-run loss to New Zealand.
Despite consistent performances, chief selector MSK Prasad did not pick him in the senior team’s squad as he said, “He was given an opportunity when KL Rahul was out against New Zealand, he will have to wait for his turn.”
Gill had admitted to being disappointed at being ignored for the senior team that is currently playing a full-fledged series in West Indies. However, he was recently named as the captain of India Blue side in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.
