Shubman Gill continues his incredible run of form, smashing his seventh Test century against England in the second Test at Edgbaston, further solidifying his position as a key player for India.
Gill’s Glorious Run Continues
India’s captain, Shubman Gill, once again showcased his exceptional batting prowess by scoring his seventh Test century on Day 4 of the second Test at Edgbaston. This follow-up ton came after his magnificent 269 in India’s first innings, which set a massive total for the team.
The 25-year-old reached his century in just 129 deliveries, an innings decorated with nine fours and three towering sixes. His aggressive yet composed batting played a crucial role as India aimed to put up another formidable score.
A Historic Double Hundred in England
Just days before, on Day 2 of the same Test, Gill etched his name in history by scoring a belligerent 269. This monumental knock made him the first Indian and Asian captain to score a double hundred in a Test match played in England.
His 269 also stands as the highest individual score by an Indian batter on English soil, surpassing the legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s 221 from 1979 at The Oval. Previously, the highest score by an Asian captain in England was Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 193 at Lord’s in 2011.
Gill, who had already impressed with a 147 on his debut as Test captain at Leeds, completed his maiden double hundred in the traditional format by elegantly pulling Josh Tongue towards deep fine leg for a single. He achieved this remarkable feat in 311 deliveries, displaying immense concentration and endurance.
Joining Elite Captains’ Club
With this double century, Shubman Gill joined an elite list of Indian captains who have scored double hundreds in Test matches. This distinguished group includes cricketing stalwarts like MAK Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and MS Dhoni.
While Gill has now joined them, Virat Kohli holds the record for the most double centuries as skipper for India, with seven to his name. Gill’s 269 also surpassed Mohammed Azharuddin’s 192 against New Zealand in Auckland in 1990 as the highest score by an Indian skipper in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) country.
Moreover, he became only the third Indian batter to score a double ton in England, following in the footsteps of the iconic Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid.
Back to Basics: Gill’s Batting Mantra
Reflecting on his incredible form, Gill shared insights into his approach. He revealed that he primarily focused on refining his initial movement and batting setup, a strategy that paid off handsomely.
“I mainly worked on my initial movement and my setup,” Gill stated. He added that he aimed to rediscover the joy of batting he felt in his childhood, without overthinking scores or extended innings. This return to basics helped him regain peak concentration and enjoy his time at the crease.
- Shubman Gill scored his 7th Test century and a record-breaking 269 against England.
- His 269 is the highest individual score by an Indian batter in England’s Test history.
- Gill is the first Indian and Asian captain to hit a Test double century on English soil.
- He attributes his success to focusing on fundamental techniques and enjoying his batting.
Shubman Gill’s current form underscores his growing stature and immense potential, making him a formidable and exciting talent in Test cricket for India.
