India's Double Cricket Triumph
Shubman Gill Scores Record-Setting Maiden ODI Century; India Women Win T20 World Cup Opener
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Key Points
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In India Women’s World Cup opener, Smriti Mandhana’s 68 wasn’t just a match-high score—she entered with a Pakistan record of “123 runs in four innings” (average 30.75, strike rate 111.81) and an Australia record of “112 runs in five innings” (average 22.40, strike rate 123.07) in Women’s T20 World Cup openers.
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Gill’s Lucknow century came after Afghanistan chose to bowl first, with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi saying the “fresh surface would aid spin during the opening half.” India responded by making three changes, including giving pacer Prince Yadav an “international debut,” with Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal returning.
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Alongside becoming the fastest Indian to 1,000 ODI runs (19 innings), Gill also matched MS Dhoni on a separate milestone: his century was his “ninth ODI century in only 63 innings,” putting him “level with former India skipper MS Dhoni among all Indian batters in the format.”
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Gill’s 1,000th ODI run was also notable by balls faced: he reached it after “consuming 954 deliveries,” described as making him the “fourth-fastest Indian overall by balls faced” (with Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav and Kapil Dev ahead on the list).
India enjoyed a remarkable double on June 16–17, 2026. The women's team crushed Pakistan by 64 runs in their Women's T20 World Cup opener, while captain Shubman Gill struck his maiden ODI century the next day to put India in firm control of the men's series against Afghanistan.
Gill's 100 not out off 77 balls in Lucknow came at No. 3 after a tactical batting-order shift. It included 12 fours and two sixes. The knock also made him the fastest Indian to 1,000 ODI runs, reaching the milestone in just 19 innings — five fewer than the previous record held by Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan at 24, according to Star Sports Data Analytics.
Gill Rewrites History Books at Lucknow
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said the "fresh surface would aid spin during the opening half." India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early, bringing Gill to the crease at No. 3. He steadied the innings with a second-wicket stand of 87 runs alongside Rohit Sharma. India crossed 180 and kept firm control throughout.
The century was Gill's ninth ODI hundred in just 63 innings. That puts him level with former India skipper MS Dhoni among all Indian batters in the format, according to Star Sports Data Analytics. Gill also reached 1,000 ODI runs after consuming just 954 deliveries, making him the fourth-fastest Indian to that mark by balls faced — behind only Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, and Kapil Dev.
Gill Moves to No. 3 to Reshape India's Batting Order
Gill shifted from opener to No. 3 to make room for Yashasvi Jaiswal's return at the top. The move was a tactical choice, not a demotion. Analysts at ESPNcricinfo noted it shielded Gill from the new ball while freeing him to dominate the middle overs. His 77-ball century showed the plan worked.
India also handed pacer Prince Yadav his international debut in the same match. Kuldeep Yadav and Jaiswal both returned to the XI after being rested in the first game. The three changes reflected India's strategy of testing squad depth while chasing World Cup preparation goals, according to crictoday.com.
Mandhana Powers India Women Past Pakistan by 64 Runs
India Women posted 170-6 against Pakistan on June 16. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 68 off 44 balls. Richa Ghosh added a brisk late cameo to push the total. Pakistan were then bowled out for just 106, handing India a 64-run win and top spot in Group A with a strong net run rate.
Mandhana's record in Women's T20 World Cup openers is notable. Against Pakistan across four innings, she has scored 123 runs at an average of 30.75 and a strike rate of 111.81. Against Australia across five innings, she has 112 runs at an average of 22.40 and a strike rate of 123.07, according to Sportskeeda. Her 68 on Monday well exceeded both those averages in a single knock.
Afghanistan's Spin Gamble Backfires in Lucknow
Afghanistan's decision to bowl first rested on a clear theory. Shahidi believed the pitch would turn and assist his spinners early. Indian commentators on JioCinema pushed back, arguing Lucknow has historically favored pace in the first 10 overs. Gill's century quickly exposed the flaw in the spin-first plan.
Afghan analysts later admitted the issue was not the pitch read but poor bowling discipline. India's response — three XI changes, a debutant pacer, and a captain batting at No. 3 — turned the match into a showcase of tactical flexibility. Gill said leading the side is "a responsibility I don't take lightly," adding that the move to No. 3 was "about providing stability while maintaining the tempo."
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