Fastest Indian to 10 ODI Centuries
Shubman Gill has a remarkable ability to convert good starts into big scores. With nine ODI centuries already to his name in just 66 innings, he is rapidly climbing the charts. The upcoming series against the West Indies offers him a golden opportunity
to become the fastest Indian to reach 10 ODI hundreds. The current Indian record is held by Shikhar Dhawan, who achieved the milestone in 77 innings. Virat Kohli reached it in 80 innings. For Gill, the equation is simple: score one more century in the next ten innings to claim the Indian record. Given his current form and his love for the 50-over format, few would bet against him achieving this feat during the series. Reaching this landmark would not just be a personal milestone but another clear indicator that he is the heir apparent to India's great batting legacy.
Breaking His Own Bilateral Series Record
In cricket, some records are so monumental that you only compete against yourself. This is the situation Shubman Gill finds himself in. He is the joint holder of the world record for the most runs scored in a three-match bilateral ODI series, having amassed a staggering 360 runs against New Zealand in 2023. He shares this record with Pakistan's Babar Azam, who also scored 360 runs against the West Indies back in 2016. Now, Gill has the chance to claim the record all for himself. To do so, he would need to score 361 runs or more across the three matches. While this is an incredibly tall order, his history against this particular opponent suggests it is not impossible. In his previous ODI encounters with the West Indies, Gill has been prolific, scoring 331 runs in just six innings at a superb average of 66.20. He was even named Player of the Series during the 2022 tour, making the Caribbean his happy hunting ground.
The Prestigious Century Hat-Trick
Scoring one century in a series is a fine achievement. Scoring two is exceptional. But scoring a century in every single match of a three-game series is the stuff of legend. This 'century hat-trick' is one of the most difficult feats for a batter to achieve in ODI cricket and remains a mark of supreme consistency and dominance. Only a select group of batting greats have managed it. Notably, when Babar Azam set the 360-run series record against West Indies, he did so by scoring three consecutive tons. With nine centuries under his belt already, including a magnificent double-hundred, Gill has proven he has the appetite for massive scores. Targeting a hundred in each of the three ODIs would be the ultimate statement of intent from the Indian captain. It would not only guarantee him a massive run haul for the series but also place him in an elite club of batsmen who have demonstrated near-perfect form across an entire series.
