NEW DELHI: In a thrilling turn of events in the world of cricket, Shubman Gill is on the cusp of dethroning Pakistan's Babar Azam as the World No. 1 ODI batter. The stage is set for an epic showdown as India's cricketing prodigy aims to ascend to the pinnacle of the ICC rankings during the upcoming India-Australia series.
As the sun sets on the Australia series, the cricketing world may witness a unique spectacle: not one, not two, but three Indian players perched at the zenith of ICC rankings. Mohammed Siraj, with his exceptional bowling prowess, has already reclaimed the top spot in the ODI bowling chart on September 21, while Suryakumar Yadav has been the undisputed ruler of the T20I batting rankings since November 2022.
However, all eyes are now on Shubman Gill, the young batting sensation, who is tantalizingly close to seizing the coveted No. 1 spot in ODI batting rankings. Currently occupying the second position, Gill trails behind Babar Azam, Pakistan's cricketing maestro. Gill's recent exploits in the Asia Cup 2023 were nothing short of spectacular, culminating in him emerging as the tournament's highest run-scorer, amassing a formidable tally of 303 runs, which included a scintillating century against Bangladesh. Yet, despite his heroics, the summit remained elusive, with Babar Azam still perched atop the ODI rankings with an impressive 857 rating points, while Gill is hot on his heels with 814 points.
So, how can Shubman Gill overcome this final hurdle to claim the throne? The answer lies in the upcoming India-Australia series, where Gill has a golden opportunity to rewrite the history books. To leapfrog Babar Azam and become the No. 1 ODI batter in the world, Gill must amass 200 runs during the three-match series. With Pakistan out of international action before the ODI World Cup, the path is clear for Gill to make his mark.
In a strategic move, the Indian team management has rested key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya for the first two ODIs against Australia. However, Shubman Gill has been entrusted with the responsibility and is set to feature in all three matches. Barring any unforeseen injuries, Gill is poised for a prominent role in the series against Australia, providing him with an unprecedented opportunity to oust Babar Azam and claim the coveted No. 1 spot.
With India fresh off their record-extending eighth Asia Cup triumph, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the commencement of the 3-ODI home series against the five-time world champions, Australia. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the first match of this exhilarating series will kick off in Mohali on September 22, a Friday that promises to be nothing short of cricketing brilliance.
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