Shubman Gill etched his name into cricket history during the third and final ODI between India and England at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on February 12, 2025. The 25-year-old opener not only anchored India’s innings with a sublime 112 off 102 balls but also shattered multiple records, reaffirming his status as one of the game’s modern greats. Gill’s century, his seventh in ODIs, propelled him past South African legend Hashim Amla to become the fastest batter to reach 2,500 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 50 innings—one fewer than Amla’s previous record of 51.
The match marked Gill’s 50th ODI appearance, and he celebrated the occasion by becoming the first Indian to score a century in their 50th ODI. His knock, laced with 14 boundaries and three sixes, was instrumental in India’s commanding total of 295/5 in 42 overs. Gill’s partnership with Virat Kohli, who scored 52, laid the foundation for India’s innings after skipper Rohit Sharma fell early for 1. This performance capped a stellar series for Gill, who had earlier scored 87 in Nagpur and 60 in Cuttack, showcasing remarkable consistency across conditions.
Ahmedabad has emerged as Gill’s fortress. With this century, he became the first Indian batter to score international tons in all three formats at a single venue, having previously notched a Test century (128 vs Australia, 2023) and a T20I century (126* vs New Zealand, 2023) at the same ground. Globally, he joined an elite club featuring David Warner, Babar Azam, and Faf du Plessis. His affinity for the venue is further highlighted by an average of nearly 80 across nine innings there, second only to his exploits at Harare Sports Club.
Gill’s record-breaking spree didn’t stop there. He also surpassed Shikhar Dhawan as the fastest Indian to seven ODI centuries, reaching the feat in 50 innings compared to Dhawan’s 54. Additionally, his career tally of 2,587 runs after 50 innings now stands as the highest in ODI history, eclipsing Hashim Amla’s 2,486. These milestones have propelled Gill to second place in the ICC ODI batting rankings, overtaking Rohit Sharma and closing in on Babar Azam’s top spot.
The Punjab batter’s rise has been meteoric. Since his debut, Gill has averaged over 60 in ODIs, blending classical strokeplay with modern aggression. His recent form is a boon for India ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where his role as vice-captain and opener will be pivotal. Notably, Gill’s 5000 international runs across formats, achieved in just 131 innings, underscore his adaptability and hunger for big scores.
While Gill’s Ahmedabad heroics dominated headlines, his journey to this pinnacle has been marked by steady milestones. In July 2023, he broke Babar Azam’s record for the most runs after 26 ODI innings (1,352 vs 1,322). A year later, during the 2023 Asia Cup, he became the fastest to 1,500 ODI runs, surpassing Amla again by reaching the mark in 29 innings. These feats, coupled with his IPL success—where he scored 890 runs in 2023—highlight a career defined by relentless growth.
As India gears up for global tournaments, Gill’s ability to thrive under pressure and rewrite record books positions him as a cornerstone of the team’s future. His Ahmedabad century wasn’t just a personal triumph but a testament to his evolving legacy—one that promises to inspire generations of cricketers.
