Shubman Gill's recent performance in the second Test against England has been nothing short of spectacular, but it came after a period where the young captain admits he wasn't enjoying his batting. Before the England series, Gill revealed he had lost some of his joy for the game, but a change in mindset and some hard work seems to have turned things around.

Gill's magnificent 269 in the second Test at Edgbaston is a testament to his rediscovered form and love for the game. This innings, described by former India captain Sourav Ganguly as an "absolute masterclass," propelled India to a commanding position in their bid to level the series. Gill's record-breaking double century not only surpassed several milestones but also showcased his maturity and adaptability as a batsman.

The 25-year-old has become the first Indian and Asian captain to score a double hundred in a Test in England. He also eclipsed Virat Kohli's 254 as the highest score by an Indian Test captain, and Sachin Tendulkar's 241 as the highest by an Indian outside Asia. Furthermore, Gill's knock is now the highest Test score by an Indian in England, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at The Oval in 1979.

Gill's journey to this point wasn't without its challenges. He began his career as an opener but has since transitioned to the No. 4 position, previously held by legends like Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Ganguly suggested that No. 4 might be the ideal batting position for Gill in Test cricket. Gill himself acknowledged the work he put in before the series, stating, "This is the result of work I put in before the series. I'm glad it's paying off".

His innings was not without its challenges. On the first day of the test, Gill had a false shot percentage of just 3.5 percent, compared to the average of 12 percent when making a hundred in England. After reaching 250, Gill briefly lost concentration, resulting in his dismissal off a short ball from Josh Tongue. Despite the dismissal, several England players acknowledged Gill's impressive innings.

The impact of Gill's innings extended beyond personal milestones. He shared significant partnerships with Ravindra Jadeja (89) and Washington Sundar (42), adding 203 and 144 runs for the sixth and seventh wickets, respectively. These partnerships helped India amass a formidable total of 587, putting England under immense pressure.

England's assistant coach, Jeetan Patel, acknowledged the toll Gill's batting took on his team, saying, "Spending 151 overs in the dirt in any scenario is pretty tough. There's some tired minds and tired bodies... Credit to Shubman for the way he's batted over two days, it was a masterclass in how to bat on a good wicket".

Adding to England's woes, India's seamers struck early, reducing England to 77-3 at stumps on Day 2, trailing by a massive 510 runs. Akash Deep's double-wicket maiden further compounded England's problems.

Shubman Gill's transformation from a player who had "stopped enjoying" his batting to a record-breaking captain leading his team from the front is a remarkable story of resilience and determination. His "masterclass" at Edgbaston has not only put India in a strong position but has also reaffirmed his status as one of the most exciting talents in world cricket.