Shubman Gill continued to strengthen his credentials as one of India’s most consistent performers in ODI cricket, equalling MS Dhoni‘s tally of seven Player of the Series awards after India’s three-match series against the West Indies on Saturday.Gill’s latest recognition came despite India losing the third ODI by five wickets, with the hosts winning the series 2-1. The Indian captain scored a century in the opening match and followed it up with a double hundred in the second, both innings coming while chasing.Gill struck 110 in the first ODI before producing a stunning unbeaten 233 in the second. His performances helped India secure the series before the West Indies bounced back with a record chase in the final match.With seven Player of the Series awards, Gill has now drawn level with Dhoni among Indian players. He also matches Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly, while Virat Kohli has 11 such awards and Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with 15.What makes Gill’s record particularly striking is the period in which he has achieved it. All seven of his Player of the Series awards have come since 2022. No other Indian player has won more than three in the same period, underlining his consistency across bilateral ODI contests.The West Indies, however, ensured India did not complete a clean sweep. Shai Hope‘s unbeaten 162 powered the visitors to 352 for five, their highest successful ODI chase, after India posted 351 for seven.KL Rahul’s unbeaten 129 and Rohit Sharma‘s 92 had put India in a commanding position, but Hope’s masterclass secured a consolation victory for the visitors.India nevertheless took the series 2-1, with Gill’s remarkable run across the first two matches earning him another individual milestone and drawing him level with one of India’s most celebrated former captains.
