Shubman Gill's performance in the recent Test series against England has been nothing short of spectacular, catapulting him into discussions alongside modern greats like Joe Root and Steve Smith. Gill amassed 774 runs at an impressive average of 75.40, including four centuries. This places him second among Indian batsmen in a single series, only behind Gavaskar's 774 runs against the West Indies in 1971.

Gill's journey to this point has been marked by immense scrutiny and the pressure of being labeled as Virat Kohli's "heir apparent". After struggling to perform outside Asia since his 91 at Brisbane in 2021, this series was crucial for Gill to prove his mettle. Through technical adjustments and a focused mindset, he has solidified his place in Test cricket history.

One of the highlights of Gill's performance was his dominance at Edgbaston, where he scored a majestic 269, followed by a blistering 161 in the second innings. This helped India secure their first-ever Test win at Birmingham by a record 336 runs. In the process, Gill achieved several milestones, including the highest individual Test score for India in England, surpassing Gavaskar's 221 at The Oval in 1979.

Gill's aggregate of 430 runs at Edgbaston is the second-highest by any batter in a single Test match, only behind Graham Gooch's 456 against India in 1990. Furthermore, his tally of 585 runs in the first two matches of the series is the second-highest aggregate, behind Graeme Smith's 621 in England in 2003. He also became the first captain with a double century against England in England.

However, despite these remarkable achievements, there's a sense that Gill's performance, while statistically impressive, might still be missing a certain quality that defines the likes of Root and Smith. While Gill has shown glimpses of brilliance and has certainly elevated his game, consistency over a long period and performance in diverse conditions are key factors that separate him from these established legends.

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Shubman Gill has performed as well as Virat Kohli could have in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Gill took Kohli's No. 4 spot after the latter's retirement. Aakash Chopra has lauded Shubman Gill for his memorable series as a batter in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, leaving behind the comparison with Virat Kohli.

Following his heroic performance in the England Test series, where he scored a record 754 runs and led India to a hard-fought 2-2 draw, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the captain for the upcoming 2025 Duleep Trophy. The 25-year-old will lead the North Zone team.

Shubman Gill currently holds the No. 9 spot in Test batting. Joe Root (904) is currently ranked number one, followed by Kane Williamson (867), Harry Brook (834) and Steve Smith (816).

The series has rewritten history books with over 7000 runs being scored. Shubman Gill broke Graham Gooch's record by scoring 754 runs in the series, surpassing Gooch's 752 runs from 1990.

While Shubman Gill has undoubtedly made a strong statement with his recent performance, the road to emulating the careers of Joe Root and Steve Smith is a long one. It demands not just talent and prolific scoring, but also resilience, adaptability, and sustained excellence across different formats and conditions.