While his progress in the red-ball arena has been nothing short of remarkable, it is the ODI format where Gill truly dazzles. The year 2023 was particularly special for the young Indian opener, as he amassed a mountain of runs in the 50-over format

Yet, it was his breathtaking innings against New Zealand in January 2023 that truly announced him as the `next big thing` in Indian cricket. In the first ODI of the series at Hyderabad’s Uppal Stadium, India were put in to bat on what proved to be the flattest pitch of the entire contest

Gill, opening alongside skipper Rohit Sharma, helped lay a solid foundation with a 60-run partnership. However, after Rohit’s departure for 34, the innings wobbled. Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan soon followed, leaving India precariously placed with three quick wickets down

It was then that Gill decided to shift gears. Reading the conditions perfectly, he unleashed a stunning counterattack, exploiting the placid surface to devastating effect. Whether it was Mitch Santner’s guile, Lockie Ferguson’s pace, or the rest of New Zealand’s attack, none could withstand Gill’s onslaught as he peppered all corners of the ground with authoritative strokes

Gill soon reached his double-century, etching his name into the record books as the fifth Indian to score an ODI double ton. His knock, studded with 19 crisply struck fours and nine towering sixes, left the New Zealand bowlers utterly bereft of answers

Thanks largely to Gill’s heroics, India managed to post an imposing total of 349/8. The Kiwis, to their credit, mounted a spirited chase and gave the hosts an almighty scare, but ultimately fell short by 12 runs