Indian skipper Shubman Gill etched his name into the record books by scoring his fourth century of the series in Manchester, a feat that places him alongside cricketing legends Sir Donald Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar.
Gill Joins Elite Company
Shubman Gill reached his ninth career Test century on the final day of the 4th Test against England. This remarkable knock also marked his fourth century in the current series, making him only the third captain in Test history to achieve such a milestone.
He now stands in the distinguished company of Sir Donald Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar, two of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game. Gill’s century came off 228 deliveries and was adorned with 12 fours, showcasing a blend of resilience and stroke play.
A Crucial Partnership with KL Rahul
Gill’s historic innings was made possible by the crucial support he received from senior batsman KL Rahul. Rahul played an equally vital knock, scoring 90 runs before narrowly missing out on his own century.
Their partnership was a masterclass in batting resilience, especially given India’s precarious position. In their second innings, India had been reduced to a shocking 0/2, with Chris Woakes dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in successive deliveries. The duo’s stand on Day 4 turned the tide, bringing India back into contention.
Series Dominance for Gill and Rahul
Both Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have been the standout performers with the bat in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Before the start of Day 5, Gill led the scoring charts with 697 runs from eight innings, marking an impressive debut as India’s Test captain.
Rahul, meanwhile, had amassed 508 runs by Saturday, crossing the 500-run mark in a series for the first time in his career. Their consistent contributions have been vital for India throughout the intense five-match series.
On Day 4, the captain started his innings briskly but then shifted gears, adopting a more cautious approach. His strike rate was 67 before tea, slowing down to 29 in the final session as he prioritized saving the Test match.
The Road Ahead for the Series
Thanks to the grit shown by Gill and Rahul, India began the final day of the Test trailing England by just 137 runs. This was a significant recovery, considering England had posted a massive 669 in their first innings in response to India’s 358.
If India manages to save the Old Trafford Test, the fate of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be decided in the series’ final match at The Oval. England currently holds a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, setting up a thrilling conclusion.
- Shubman Gill is the third captain to score four centuries in a Test series, after Bradman and Gavaskar.
- KL Rahul supported Gill with a crucial 90-run knock.
- Gill and Rahul are the top run-scorers in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
- The partnership helped India recover from 0/2 in their second innings.
- The outcome of this Test could determine the series winner at The Oval.
