Shubman Gill has etched his name in the history books, joining an elite club of Indian captains with his recent performance in the ongoing Test series against England. Gill scored his second consecutive century as captain in the second Test at Edgbaston, emulating Virat Kohli and sending waves of excitement through the cricketing world.
Gill's achievement places him among the likes of Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli as the fourth Indian captain to score hundreds in their first two matches as Test captain. He is also the third Indian captain to score centuries in consecutive Tests against England, following Hazare (1951-52) and Mohammad Azharuddin (1990). Furthermore, Gill is the fifth Indian player to score three straight tons in Test cricket against England, a feat previously achieved by Azharuddin (1984-1985), Dilip Vengsarkar (1985-1986), and Rahul Dravid (2002 & 2008-2011).
The century at Edgbaston was a display of composure, class, and command. Gill anchored the innings after an early setback, building crucial partnerships with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja. His innings of 110 off 150 balls in the Dharamsala Test during the home series in 2024 was also remarkable. Gill's journey to his seventh Test century was marked by resilience and determination. He reached the century mark in 199 balls, with 11 boundaries. After reaching the milestone, Gill roared, raised his helmet, bowed to the crowd, and kissed his bat.
Gill's captaincy has begun impressively, taking over the reins from Rohit Sharma. This tour marks Gill's first assignment as Test captain. His performance has not only made headlines but has also solidified his position as a leader. Gill came in after India lost Karun Nair and ensured stability for his side. He played well with Jaiswal during their 66-run partnership.
Shubman Gill's back-to-back centuries as India captain are a testament to his talent, dedication, and leadership. His achievements have not only placed him in the record books but have also inspired fans and teammates alike. As he continues his journey as captain, the cricketing world will be watching with anticipation to see what other milestones he will conquer.
