While the debate over his place in the starting lineup rages on, Shubman Gill scores his second hundred in one-day internationals

On Sunday, Shubman Gill sped to his second ODI century. The right-handed hitter had a sluggish start in the third and final One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka at Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield International Stadium.

His innings soon picked up speed, and in the sixth over, he blasted four straight fours to Lahiru Kumara. Shubman needed 52 balls to achieve his fifty, but just 37 were needed to score the next 50 runs.

Notably, the player was given the nod before Ishan Kishan, who had just scored a double century against Bangladesh a month prior, and he seized the opportunity with both hands. Gill hit 70 runs in the first game of the series against Sri Lanka.

Gill was defeated by Kasun Rajitha’s bowling for 116 runs in 97 balls. The Sri Lankan pacer with the right arm bowled a slower ball that kept low.

The ball hit Gill’s stumps as he leaped down the track, but he was unable to catch it with his bat. He hit two sixes and 14 fours in his inning.

Ahead of Sunday’s third one-day international, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat against Sri Lanka in an attempt to win the series.

Two changes were made by the hosts in Thiruvananthapuram after they won on Thursday to take a 2-0 lead they couldn’t lose.

Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar, two Twenty20 sensations, are in the team in place of Hardik Pandya and Umran Malik.

Two other alterations have been made by Sri Lanka in their quest for a consolation victory. In their place, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage are replaced by Ashen Bandara and Jeffrey Vandersay.

India: Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul (wk).

Sri Lankan players include: Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Charith Asalanka, and Kusal Mendis (wk).