Gill's maiden ODI ton powers India to 289

Shubman Gill's maiden ODI ton powered India to 289 for 8 in the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Monday (August 22). Gill, who struck 15 fours and a six in his 97-ball 130, also registered the highest individual ODI score by an Indian in Zimbabwe and was involved in a 140-run third wicket stand with Ishan Kishan (50) to help India post a challenging total. Brad Evans (5-54) was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, bagging his maiden fifer.

Gill's arrival to the crease was sandwiched between the dismissals of the Indian openers but the 22 year old did not feel any pressure, playing his shots with a lot of confidence as he helped India make good progress. While Ishan Kishan had a watchful start, Gill ensured regular boundaries, bringing out a repertoire of shots around the park including exquisite drives, powerful sweeps, cuts, a deft scoop and a glance. While he got to fifty off 51 deliveries, Gill galloped to three figures as he got to his hundred off 81 deliveries.

Kishan was on 9 off 21 at one stage before he too started finding the fence, bringing up his second ODI fifty, off 61 balls. But before Gill got to his hundred, Kishan was run out at the non-striker's end on the same ball that the No. 3 reviewed to reverse a leg-before decision, and was soon followed back to the hut by Deepak Hooda who was bowled by Evans for 1.

But, like before, the dismissals did not have any impact on Gill's batting as he continued his display of impressive stroke-making. Gill even struck his first six by pulling Evans while Sanju Samson hit a couple of maximums off Luke Jongwe to power India past 250 in the 46th over before getting out to the same bowler. Axar Patel had a short stay, failing in his attempt to hit Victor Nyauchi over long-off. Gill added to his tally of boundaries before his outing came in the final over when he found the fielder at long-off, while Shardul Thakur became Evans's fifth scalp as India finished 11 short of the 300 mark.

Earlier, after KL Rahul won the toss again and decided to bat first this time, Shikhar Dhawan started off with a flurry of boundaries, driving, cutting and flicking in the first couple of overs. Rahul, though, had a sedate start at the other end, taking his time to settle down. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe bowlers, who were inconsistent with their line and lengths at the start, were quick to tighten up as they kept the openers in check. Nyauchi bowled a maiden to Dhawan, who also got a lucky break when he was put down at point off Richard Ngarava.

India went without a boundary for seven overs before Dhawan ramped one over the slip cordon for a four. Rahul grew in confidence as he spent time at the crease, driving a Nyauchi delivery past cover point for three before playing a back-foot punch off Evans for his first four. Rahul also pulled Evans for the first six of the innings but was bowled for 30 soon after, chopping on trying to cut one too close to the body, which ended the opening stand worth 63. Evans also dismissed Dhawan a short while later, with the left-hander getting a leading edge to cover to depart for 40, before Gill took over and powered India towards a good total.

Brief scores: India 289/8 in 50 overs (Shubman Gill 130, Ishan Kishan 50, Shikhar Dhawan 40; Brad Evans 5-54) vs Zimbabwe.