• Source:JND
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In a stunning turn of events, the Indian cricket team faced a six-wicket loss to West Indies in the second ODI on July 29 at Bridgetown's Kensington Oval. Under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, India's batting lineup crumbled, managing a meager total of 181 runs, allowing West Indies to level the series at 1-1.

The defeat came as a surprise, given India's formidable batting strength. Adding to the unexpected twists, seasoned players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were rested for the match, raising eyebrows among the fans.

Despite the team's setback, there was a silver lining in the form of the opening partnership between Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. Ishan showcased his form by scoring a second consecutive half-century, while Gill contributed 34 runs off 49 balls with five boundaries. Nevertheless, Gill's recent struggles with the bat were evident, as he has faced challenges in finding consistent form.

Interestingly, amidst his batting difficulties, Shubman Gill achieved a remarkable milestone during the second ODI. He surpassed Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam to become the leading run-scorer after the first 26 innings in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

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Babar Azam is renowned for his exceptional consistency across formats, currently occupying the top spot in the ICC ODI batters rankings and featuring in the top five in other formats. Babar amassed 1322 runs in his initial 26 ODI innings, surpassing former English batter Jonathan Trott by 19 runs.

Conversely, Shubman Gill, in his 26th ODI inning, displayed his potential by accumulating an impressive 1352 runs at an average of 61.45 and an impressive strike rate of 104.88, including four centuries to his name. Although Gill has faced recent challenges after a standout performance in the Indian Premier League 2023, where he won the Orange Cap, his earlier displays in international cricket were nothing short of exceptional.

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As India reflects on their defeat and strategizes for the next encounter, the team will undoubtedly look to Shubman Gill's milestone as a source of encouragement. His position as India's highest-ranked batter in the ICC ODI rankings signifies the potential impact he can have in shaping the team's fortunes moving forward.