Shubman Gill scored his first ODI hundred, cracking 130 runs off 97 balls in the third encounter against Zimbabwe. In a typically dashing inning, the 22-year-old hit 15 fours and a solitary six. Finding the fence with relative ease, he gave the Zimbabwean bowlers no respite on another warm day at the Harare Sports Club. The batter also broke Rohit Sharma’s long-standing record in the process. In 2010, The now-Indian captain was the youngest Indian to score a triple-figure knock in Zimbabwe. Incidentally, it was also his first ODI ton, albeit in losing circumstances. He was 23 at the time.

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Gill became the third-youngest Indian (22 years and 348 days) to score an overseas century, after Yuvraj Singh (at 22 years and 41 days) and Virat Kohli (22 years and 315 days). He also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s 127* in Bulawayo, previously the highest score by an Indian on Zimbabwean shores.

With a flurry of cuts, drives and flicks, he raced to his century in 82 balls. His trademark strokes were all on display, helping guide the visitors to a commanding 289/8. Twitter was abuzz with praise for Gill. After three scores in the 90s, before today’s effort, there was a collective intake of breath across India’s cricket fraternity. Relief soon turned to joy as Indian cricket fans celebrated a fine achievement by the talented batter.

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Official Team India Supporter Group, The Bharat Army echoed the sentiments of the nation’s cricket fans, hailing him as a “future superstar.”

Veteran commentator and broadcaster Harsha Bhogle was crisp with his praise, announcing that it was the “first of many” for the right-handed batter.

Ex-cricketer Yuvraj Singh was ecstatic at Gill’s achievement. The long-due century hopes the stylish left-hand bat will trigger more in the coming days.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra lauded the young batter for surpassing Tendulkar’s 1997 mark.

Sports journalist Chloe-Amanda Bailey called the century “Brilliant Stuff.”

Twitter-user Johns highlighted the scale of the century, pointing to how Gill had nearly scored 50% of India’s total score.