In a moment of sheer brilliance and composure under pressure, India’s young captain Shubman Gill etched his name into the history books by scoring a magnificent double century against England on Day 2 of the second Test at Edgbaston.
Starting the day on 114 not out, Gill displayed exceptional focus, refined technique, and unshakable determination as he converted his overnight score into a landmark maiden double hundred in Test cricket.
With this monumental innings, he achieved several historic milestones, rewriting record books along the way and demonstrating maturity far beyond his years.
First India Captain to Score a Double Century in England
Gill’s unbeaten effort made him the first Indian captain ever to score a double century on English soil, a feat never before achieved by legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Mohammad Azharuddin, or even Virat Kohli.
It was a performance of great significance, given the notoriously challenging conditions for subcontinental batters in England.
Gill Enters Top 10 Highest Test Scores by Indian Batsmen
In addition to breaking captaincy records, Gill’s innings of 265 not out propelled him into the elite list of India’s highest individual scorers in Test cricket, moving past none other than Sachin Tendulkar.
He now sits at ninth on the all-time list, a remarkable achievement for a player still in the early stages of his leadership journey.
Breaking Kohli’s Edgbaston Record
Gill also shattered the record for the highest individual score by an Indian at Edgbaston, surpassing the previous best of 149 by Virat Kohli, set during the 2018 series.
His innings stood as a masterclass in temperament and technique, particularly in conditions that have historically favoured English seamers.
India’s Commanding Total
Thanks to his innings, India reached a formidable total of 564 for 7 at the tea break on Day 2, putting England under considerable pressure. Gill’s fluent and commanding presence at the crease neutralized the English bowling attack, who struggled to find any real foothold in the game.
A Performance Lauded by Experts
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, speaking on commentary, was full of praise for Gill, particularly for the refinements in his defensive game.
“What impressed me the most on this tour has been his defence. When he gets onto the front foot, he takes a big stride forward, waits for the ball, and plays it late.
The bat looks a foot wide when he defends. That kind of technical assurance is what sets great players apart,” Shastri said.
Shastri also spoke about Gill’s leadership qualities, adding that the young captain had embraced the role with confidence and poise.
“When you take on the captaincy, it can go either way. Some players shrink under the weight of responsibility. But Gill has risen—he’s been aggressive when needed, like in Leeds, and here, he’s shown great resolve and calm.”
Former England cricketer Mark Butcher, speaking on Sky Sports, also praised Gill’s efforts, calling his Day 1 knock of 114 “magnificent” and “textbook batting under pressure.”
“This pitch at Edgbaston was slower than Headingley, but that didn’t reduce the quality of Gill’s innings. He had answers to every challenge England posed.
His false shot percentage was the lowest recorded in any innings in England since such data began two decades ago,” Butcher noted.
