IND vs NZ: Shubman Gill misses hundred, crosses 800 Test runs in 2024

Shubman Gill would agonizingly miss out on a well-deserved hundred as the Indian batsman was dismissed for 90 on November 2 on Saturday. However, Gill would cross the 800 run mark for the calendar year in Tests with his knock at the Wankhede Stadium.

Gill came to bat in the 7th over after Rohit Sharma was sacked by Matt Henry. He started cautiously but soon found his rhythm and built a 50-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, he could only watch as India’s stable position of 78 for 1 became precarious at the end of Day 1: 84 for 4 inside just nine balls. With Rishabh Pant on the other side, Gill would play a crucial role in India’s recovery. on day 2.

The next morning, Pant hit three early boundaries off Ajaz Patel while Gill, restarted on 31, remained calm. His first boundary came against Ajaz but he kept his aggression in check. But at one point he tried to break free by going into the lane against Glenn Phillips, but failed. Mark Chapman looked set to take the catch but eventually dropped it, with Gill on 45.

India vs New Zealand, Mumbai Test Day 2: Live Updates

Gill then quietly reached his half-century, his 7th in Tests and his first significant score since the Chennai Test against Bangladesh. Once Pant was dismissed for 60, Gill would ensure India went to lunch at 195 for 5 without any damage.

The star batsman restarted somewhat hesitantly after the break and skipped a dangerous Ajaz Patel. Gill would also survive a run-out scare in the following Ajaz when he went for a quick single. The star batsman started losing partners at the other end as Ravindra Jadeja and Sarfaraz Khan made quick exits after the lunch break.

Gill would switch gears a bit at this point, hitting two boundaries off Phillips to race into the 80s. However, he continued to defend resolutely when necessary as the ball outside the Wankhede lane did some damage.

While he would remain patient and try to play Ajaz out, the left-arm spinner had the last laugh, dismissing the star batsman when Daryl Mitchell took a good catch at slips. Gill scored 90 off 146 balls with 7 boundaries and a six to his name.

Gill currently has 805 runs to his name from 10 Tests this year at an average of 53.66.