"To get your place in WC23 squad you have to break the doors" - Twitterati miffed with Shubman Gill for not converting his fifty in the 1st ODI against New Zealand

Team India opening batter Shubman Gill recorded his fourth ODI half-century in the first ODI against New Zealand on Friday, November 25. But the youngster departed soon after, failing to convert his start into a big score at Eden Park in Auckland. That left quite a lot of fans on Twitter upset, as they were hoping he would make good use of his opportunity.

After missing out on making a potential debut appearance in the recently culminated T20I series against the Blackcaps, Gill was slotted straight at the top of the order for the ODIs. The right-handed batter continued his prolific partnership with stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan, putting up a solid 124-run partnership for the opening wicket.

The duo took their time against the new ball and a four-pronged New Zealand seam bowling unit. India scored only 40 runs in the powerplay, but picked up their pace after that.

Gill looked in sublime touch, making use of the short boundary dimensions to score three sixes in his innings. But the Punjab-born player's stint at the crease came to an abrupt end when he flicked a delivery on leg-stump by Lockie Ferguson straight to the man at deep square leg, who did not make a mistake.

Since his return to the ODI setup earlier this year, Gill has managed to get a start on almost every occasion. But he has just the one century to his name so far.

Twitterati feel that Gill needs to make the most of his chances to cement his case for the ODI World Cup next year. Here are some of the reactions:

TUSHAR 🇮🇳

@Tusharv0303

Matured Innings by Shubman Gill

Didn't capitalise, it's ok CHAMP

#INDvsNZ #NZvINDonPrime @ShubmanGill #crickettwitter

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Matured Innings by Shubman Gill 👏

Didn't capitalise, it's ok CHAMP 🏆

#INDvsNZ #NZvINDonPrime @ShubmanGill #crickettwitter

Ritvik

@Ritvik_Cricket

First fifty against SENA country in 7th inning, Could've been 2nd fifty but missed last one by 1 run against SA.
Decent knock against full bowling attack. But a lot to improve, Gill saab !

To get your place in WC23 squad you have to break the doors, 50s won't help @ShubmanGill

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First fifty against SENA country in 7th inning, Could've been 2nd fifty but missed last one by 1 run against SA.
Decent knock against full bowling attack. But a lot to improve, Gill saab !

To get your place in WC23 squad you have to break the doors, 50s won't help @ShubmanGill

Pavan Kumar Ponugoti 🇮🇳

@pavankumarppkn

Shubman Gill out after not changed yet. #INDvNZ #NZvINDonPrime

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Shubman Gill out after 5️⃣0️⃣ not changed yet. #INDvNZ #NZvINDonPrime

The Zooter

@BluntBong

NZ fans watching the match will be wondering why @ShubmanGill was invoking @benstokes38 after getting out. #IndvNZ

NZ fans watching the match will be wondering why @ShubmanGill was invoking @benstokes38 after getting out. #IndvNZ

shubham 🇦🇷

@gill_flick

@Ritvik_Cricket @ShubmanGill Its toughest condition for someone like him.. should convert these starts..i don't think he will get start like this every time

@Ritvik_Cricket @ShubmanGill Its toughest condition for someone like him.. should convert these starts..i don't think he will get start like this every time

Ritvik

@Ritvik_Cricket

@gill_flick @ShubmanGill That's how his career is going, loses his focus after 40s, 50s. Need to work on his determination

@gill_flick @ShubmanGill That's how his career is going, loses his focus after 40s, 50s. Need to work on his determination

shubham 🇦🇷

@gill_flick

@Ritvik_Cricket @ShubmanGill Literally throwed his wicket after doing all the hard work

@Ritvik_Cricket @ShubmanGill Literally throwed his wicket after doing all the hard work

∆nkit🏏

@CaughtAtGully

If Gill wants to do a Kohli 2009-10 for selection in the WC squad, he needs to do more and do it quickly.

If Gill wants to do a Kohli 2009-10 for selection in the WC squad, he needs to do more and do it quickly.

∆nkit🏏

@CaughtAtGully

If Gill wants to do a Kohli 2009-10 for selection in the WC squad, he needs to do more and do it quickly.

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If Gill wants to do a Kohli 2009-10 for selection in the WC squad, he needs to do more and do it quickly.

Captain Rahul's Cover Drive

@KlCoverdrive

The upcoming gem of indian cricket .
Predicted it a long time ago, if subhman gill stays fit for next couple of years he will the first choice opener across formats, today he gives another testimony to that statement.
Well made 50, now get me that MoS .
#subhmangill

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The upcoming gem of indian cricket 🙌.
Predicted it a long time ago, if subhman gill stays fit for next couple of years he will the first choice opener across formats, today he gives another testimony to that statement.
Well made 50, now get me that MoS 😅.
#subhmangill https://t.co/YFO3Qk3bDH

Srinivas R

@srini_r_twit

Tuned into the ODI just now. Dhawan outscoring Gill is bad news.

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Tuned into the ODI just now. Dhawan outscoring Gill is bad news.

CricketSize

@CricketSize

If "cricket experts" hail this knock by Dhawan, Gill, just steer clear

Operated at 3.5 rpo. in the first 10 overs. Was agonizingly natural to up the tempo after a snail start

Getting out in the process with personal 50s completed is total KLness

#NZvIND
#NZvINDonPrime

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If "cricket experts" hail this knock by Dhawan, Gill, just steer clear

Operated at 3.5 rpo. in the first 10 overs. Was agonizingly natural to up the tempo after a snail start

Getting out in the process with personal 50s completed is total KLness

#NZvIND
#NZvINDonPrime

Shikhar 🇵🇹🇧🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@_82_Melbourne

@Ritvik_Cricket @ShubmanGill 75 SR on a flat pitch with 45 m boundaries

@Ritvik_Cricket @ShubmanGill 75 SR on a flat pitch with 45 m boundaries😭😭

Nitesh Chauhan 🇮🇳

@Nitesh_Chauhan7

With Rohit Sharma very much set to open the Inning for India (ODI). It will be interesting to see who will be the other player.

Dhawan will be the front runner but cannot deny Shubman Gill will also be knocking on the door for that slot.

Consistency is the key!

#NZvINDonPrime

With Rohit Sharma very much set to open the Inning for India (ODI). It will be interesting to see who will be the other player.

Dhawan will be the front runner but cannot deny Shubman Gill will also be knocking on the door for that slot.

Consistency is the key!

#NZvINDonPrime

Team India lose Shikhar Dhawan's wicket shortly after Gill's dismissal

As mentioned earlier, Gill's departure brought the curtains down on a solid opening stand. Skipper Dhawan followed suit soon after, courtesy of a soft dismissal.

The left-handed batter chipped a ball straight to Finn Allen at point, to bring two new batters to the crease. Dhawan departed after scoring 72 runs off 77 deliveries, marking his first ODI fifty in five matches.

At the time of writing, India were placed at 140-2 after 27 overs. Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are currently trying to rebuild the Indian innings, even as New Zealand look to get a tighter grip on the long Indian batting unit.

Should Shubman Gill work on converting his innings into a more substantial and impactful score? Let us know what you think.

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