Page 31 - The Indian EYE 012723

SPORTS JANUARY 27, 2023 | The Indian Eye 31

and Shikhar Dhawan, who touched
the 100-run mark in 24 innings.
Gill, 23, is the youngest dou-
ble centurion in the history of ODI
cricket. He has overtaken compatri-
ot Ishan Kishan, who had recently
smashed 210 against Bangladesh in
December 2022. Before this, Rohit
Sharma was the youngest double
centurion, having scored one in 2013
when he was 26.
Gill is the fifth Indian batter
to do so. Sachin Tendulkar was the
first-ever batter to smash a double
hundred in ODIs. After this, this
feat was repeated by Rohit Sharma
(thrice), Virender Sehwag, Ishan
Kishan before Gill smashed his dou-
ble ton.
Gill is overall the eighth bat-
ter to hit an ODI double ton. Be-
sides the Indian batters, there are
three non-Indian players who have
touched the 200-run mark - Chris
Gayle (West Indies), Martin Guptill
(New Zealand) and Fakhar Zaman
(Pakistan).
Kohli closes in on Babar Azam
in ICC rankings
Former India captain Virat Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj celebrate a dismissal during the first ODI match against New Zealand,
Kohli has been rewarded for his at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, in Hyderabad on Wednesday (ANI)
excellent recent form by rising up
the latest ICC Men’s ODI Player Kuldeep was promoted seven day-night matches. Rohit advocated out one side having the advantage
Rankings. spots to 21st on the most recent list the idea to mitigate the effect of the of batting under lights with the dew.
During India’s recent ODI se- of bowlers in recognition of his five dew factor and encourage even com- But those are the things that are not
ries win over Sri Lanka, Kohli hit wickets in just two games against Sri petition. in your control. But I like the idea of
two hundred and amassed a stag- Lanka. Day-night ODIs in India begin an early start,” stated Rohit.
gering 283 runs from three innings. Following the recent conclusion at 1:30 pm and end at 9:00 pm, which Off-spinner Ravichandran Ash-
As a result, he climbed two spots of their ODI series in Karachi, a trio is prime television time and benefits win had proposed an earlier start
to fourth place on the recent list of of players from Pakistan and New the BCCI and the broadcasters by time, claiming that given the rel-
ODI batters. Zealand also rose in the rankings. increasing viewership. evance of the competition, World
While Babar Azam, the captain Kane Williamson, the captain The chasing side gets to bowl in Cup games beginning at 11:30 am
of Pakistan, maintains a command- of New Zealand, scored 164 runs dry conditions in the afternoon and wouldn’t necessarily affect audience
ing lead with 887 rating points, Kohli during the series and climbed three bat when the dew gets the ball moist numbers.
increased his total to 750 points spots to the eighth spot overall on in the evening, making it easier to “The quality difference between
and is now closely pursuing Rassie the most recent batter rankings. score. the teams isn’t coming through. Dew
van der Dussen (766) and Quinton Teammate Devon Conway, who “I mean, it [having an early is narrowing that gap if you happen
de Kock (759) in second and third scored a century and fifty runs in the start] is a good idea because it’s a to lose the toss. My suggestion - or
place, respectively. three games, moved up from outside World Cup, right? You don’t want rather my opinion - for the World
Kohli isn’t the only India player the top 100 to the fifty-first spot. to compromise too much on the Cup is to look at what venues we are
to move up on the latest rankings The main mover for Pakistan toss factor and you want to take that playing in, and at what times. Why
that were released by the ICC, with was left-arm spinner Mohammad [advantage] completely away. I like shouldn’t we start matches at 11.30
teammates Shubman Gill, Moham- Nawaz, who rose 12 ranks to 28th that idea of an early start, but I don’t am during the World Cup? Won’t all
med Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav also on the list of bowlers after taking six know if it’s possible,” said Rohit on cricket fans prioritise the World Cup
well compensated for their perfor- wickets in the series. the eve of the first ODI of the three- and watch matches at 11.30?” Ash-
mances against Sri Lanka. Rohit favours early start of 2023 match series against New Zealand in win said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Gill hit a century and a fifty ODI World Cup matches Hyderabad. Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi In-
during the series and his 207 runs at India Captain Rohit Sharma He expressed that the broad- ternational Stadium is known for
an average of 69 helped the opener has backed the idea of early starts in casters will have to take a call on the aiding teams that chase due to dew
improve 10 spots to 26th overall on day-night matches at the ODI World timings of the game while mention- and a quick outfield.
the rankings for ODI batters. Cup that is scheduled to be played in ing that early starts will make sure Rohit talked about Siraj’s mete-
Siraj makes the most notable India in October-November, 2023. that no team is getting unnecessary oric rise in India’s pace department
jump, rising 15 ranks to third on the The 2023 cricket World Cup will advantage. and heaped praises on the bowler.
list of ODI bowlers as a result of his be played in India during early win- “The broadcasters will decide Siraj will be the local boy on Janu-
nine series wickets. He increases to ter which amounts for considerable what time the game should start. But ary 18 at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi
a career-best rating of 685 points dew and gives undue advantage to ideally, you don’t want that sort of International Stadium, when India
to cut the gap on pacesetters Trent teams fielding first. Due to the dew, advantage in the game. You want to takes on New Zealand in the first
Boult (730) and Josh Hazlewood. toss becomes a crucial factor in the see good cricket being played with- ODI of the three-match series.

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