Shubman Gill Breaks Babar Azam's Record, AB de Villiers Left Behind Too

KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Babar Azam (Source: AFP)

Shubman Gill showcased remarkable form and played a match-winning innings against Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series in Dharamsala on Saturday (June 13).

The skipper guided India to a comfortable seven-wicket victory and also achieved multiple personal milestones, including overtaking Pakistan star Babar Azam in a prestigious ODI batting record.

The IND vs AFG 1st ODI was a rain-affected match, reduced to 25 overs per side after the toss was delayed by more than four hours. Afghanistan posted 194 all out, thanks largely to a brilliant century from wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed 102 runs from just 51 balls.

Despite Gurbaz's heroic effort, India’s debutants ensured Afghanistan could not reach the 200-run mark.

Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar impressed with figures of 3/27, while Harsh Dubey picked up 3/47. Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with two wickets each.

Shubman Gill Guides India To Massive Win in IND vs AFG

Chasing 195 in 25 overs, India approached the target aggressively. Leading from the front, Shubman Gill played a classy unbeaten knock of 84 runs from 66 balls at a strike-rate of 127.27.

His innings included 11 boundaries and two sixes, and he reached his half-century in just 37 deliveries.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma Angry With Shubman Gill? Indian Captain Reveals Run-Out Controversy BTS

Gill received support from Ishan Kishan, who scored 34 runs, while KL Rahul provided the finishing touch with a quickfire unbeaten 39 off only 19 balls. India comfortably reached the target and won the match by 7 wickets.

The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, with the second ODI scheduled to be played in Lucknow on June 17.

Shubman Gill Overtakes Babar Azam

Shubman Gill also achieved a major milestone by crossing the 3,000-run mark in ODI cricket; the Indian captain moved ahead of Pakistan’s Babar Azam in the list of players with the highest batting average in ODI history among batters with at least 3,000 runs.

Highest Batting Average in ODIs (Min - 3000 Runs)

58.71 – Virat Kohli (India)
57.30 – Shubman Gill (India)*
53.58 – Michael Bevan (Australia)
53.50 – AB de Villiers (Africa/South Africa)
53.43 – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Other Records Achieved by Gill

Gill’s knock also helped him become the fastest Indian cricketer to score 3,000 ODI runs. He reached the milestone in just 62 innings, breaking Shikhar Dhawan’s previous record of 72 innings. Virat Kohli is third on the list, having reached the mark in 75 innings.

Overall, Gill is now the second-fastest player in world cricket to reach 3,000 ODI runs, behind only South Africa legend Hashim Amla, who achieved the feat in 57 innings.

The innings was also the highest individual score by an Indian batter against Afghanistan in ODIs after Rohit Sharma’s 131 in 2023. Additionally, it is now Gill’s highest score as India’s ODI captain.