Shubman Gill’s recent Test performance, including a magnificent 269, has sparked immense praise, with former England cricketer Stuart Broad suggesting he looked capable of breaking Brian Lara’s all-time record of 400 not out.
Gill’s Dominant First Innings
In a stunning display of batting, Shubman Gill notched up his maiden Test double century, scoring a monumental 269 runs in the first innings. His performance was particularly notable as he looked exceptionally comfortable and in complete control throughout his marathon knock.
Speaking on the ‘For the love of cricket’ podcast, Stuart Broad was highly impressed. “Shubman Gill 269, honestly it looked like he could have got Lara’s record. He was just cruising,” Broad remarked, highlighting Gill’s effortless batting.
Broad also pointed out Gill’s successful transition to the number four spot in the batting order, following Virat Kohli’s retirement. He noted Gill’s consistent scoring of big hundreds and 150s in this new role, concluding that he “looks like he’s got no weaknesses at all.”
A Record-Breaking Match Performance
Gill didn’t stop at his double century in the first innings. He followed it up with another impressive century in the second innings of the same Test. This incredible consistency took his total runs in the match to 430, marking the highest individual score by an Indian cricketer in a single Test match.
Thanks to Gill’s exceptional contributions, India was able to set a formidable target of 608 runs for England in the final innings, putting them in a commanding position to win the match.
England’s Fight and Broad’s Disappointment
Despite India’s strong performance, the final day of the Test match saw a late start due to rain, which offered England a glimmer of hope for a potential draw. They needed to bat for approximately 80 overs to secure a draw, but ultimately fell short.
Stuart Broad expressed his disappointment in England’s inability to capitalize on the situation. “England could have drawn it (Test). They had to bat 80-odd overs due to the rain. I think they’ll be a bit disappointed they didn’t manage to do that,” he stated.
Broad further emphasized that the pitch was not significantly worn or challenging on the fifth day, implying England had a real opportunity. He felt they should have shown “a little more craft in the defense” to save the game.
- Shubman Gill scored his maiden Test double century (269 runs) in the first innings.
- Former England bowler Stuart Broad believed Gill looked capable of breaking Brian Lara’s Test record of 400.
- Gill scored a total of 430 runs in the match, setting a new record for the highest score by an Indian in a single Test.
- England failed to draw the match despite rain delays offering a potential advantage.
Gill’s outstanding form highlights his growing stature in Test cricket, promising more exciting performances to come.