'Smoothman Gill': Sunil Gavaskar comes up with new nickname for star Indian batsman

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is making headlines for new nickname he has termed for star Indian player Shubman Gill. 23-year-old is one of most impressive cricketers on rise currently, who has made a mark for himself in his short international career so far. After his unbeaten kck of 40 runs in second ODI against New Zealand, Gill had a fun chat with legendary Sunil Gavaskar. 

Revealing that he has a new nickname for Shubman, Gavaskar said, “I have given you a new nickname, Smoothman Gill. I hope you don't mind”. Replying to Gavaskar’s remark, Shubman said, “ "I don't mind at all, sir”. It is pertinent to mention that Team India opener recently became fifth Indian batter to score a double century in 50-over format of game after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan.

Shubman Gill fastest to 1000-run mark in ODIs

He has also surpassed 1000-run mark in format in just 20 games. In first ODI of ongoing three-match series against New Zealand, Gill became eighth batter to score a double century in format. His kck of 208 runs helped Indi secure a 1-0 series lead, which was doubled in second ODI. In series opener, star cricketer surpassed Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan’s records to become fastest Indian to score 1000 runs in ODIs.

While Kohli and Dhawan achieved milestone in 24 innings, Shubman reached tally of 1000 runs in just 19 innings. Gill also became youngest cricketer to score a double century in men’s ODIs with his kck. At of 23 years and 132 days, Shubman surpassed Ishan Kishan in record books, who was 24 years and 145 days old on December 10. 

"I will hit you if you're going to bowl bad balls"

After his heroic double century in 1st ODI vs New Zealand, Shubman spoke to reporters in post-match press conference and said, “My main focus was to show some intent to bowler because it becomes very easy for bowler to bowl dot balls if batsman is t going to show any intent that he's going to hit any boundaries - even if we have lost a wicket. So that was my intent - even when wickets were falling to show bowler that I will hit you if you're going to bowl bad balls."