The first match was not very good for Shubman GillImage Credit source: Screenshot/Jiohotstar
With the start of the ODI series against New Zealand, Team India captain Shubman Gill also returned. Gill, who was out of the T20 series against South Africa due to injury, again took command of the team in the first ODI match played in Vadodara. But in the very first match, Shubman Gill again gave tension to Team India. He scored a half-century with his bat, but the way he kept batting, neither did it show much rhythm nor was his fitness 100 percent visible.
Shubman Gill, who was appointed the ODI captain of Team India in October 2025, took command of the team during the Australia tour but could not do so due to injury in the home series against South Africa. In such a situation, the ODI series against New Zealand was special for him because for the first time he was captaining the ODI team in India. But apart from this, this series is important for him because for some time now he has been struggling not only with fitness but also with form.
However, even in the first ODI match, Shubman Gill did not appear completely successful on both these fronts. The New Zealand bowlers troubled the Indian captain a lot and kept him tied for a long time. The situation was such that at one time, despite playing in the powerplay, Gill could score only 13 runs in 27 balls. At this time Rohit Sharma was taking risks and playing big shots. Virat Kohli, who came after Rohit’s dismissal, also scored boundaries quickly and soon went ahead of Gill but the Indian captain was seen struggling.
However, gradually Shubman seemed to be gaining some rhythm and he hit 2-3 good shots and hit sixes and fours. Ultimately, Shubman Gill achieved his half-century in 66 balls, which was his first fifty after 7 innings in ODI and 13 innings in international cricket. However, after this Gill did not last long and was out after scoring 56 runs. He faced 71 balls, which had 3 fours and 2 sixes. His strike rate was only 78.87.
Gill’s batting has not been very convincing but even more worrying is the fitness of the Indian captain. Shubman Gill, who was injured thrice in the last 3-4 months, returned to the team after a break of a few days. It was expected that he would now be fully fit and would be seen playing continuously, but during this innings his fitness again came under question.
Gill did not appear to be in any trouble during the entire 50 overs fielding, but as he approached his half-century while batting, his muscles started getting strained. After completing his half-century, he looked very upset and lay down on the field. In such a situation, the physio had to come to the field and examine Gill for some time. Then when he recovered and returned to bat again, he immediately got out and returned. It was clear that his fitness created problems in batting and due to this he was out.