Shubman Gill has etched his name in the record books with consecutive centuries as captain in the ongoing Test series against England. Gill's achievement places him among an elite list of Indian skippers who have accomplished this feat, including Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli.
In the second Test at Edgbaston, Gill showcased his leadership and batting prowess, following up his century in the first Test at Headingley. After India suffered early setbacks, Gill anchored the innings, demonstrating composure and class. He reached his century with a boundary, underscoring his maturity. His celebration, a roar of emotion, a bow to the crowd, and a kiss of the bat, encapsulated the significance of the moment.
Gill became the fourth Indian captain to score hundreds in his first two matches. Virat Kohli was the last to achieve this milestone. Gill also joins Hazare and Mohammad Azharuddin as the third Indian captain to score centuries in consecutive Tests against England. He is now the fifth Indian player to score three straight tons in Test cricket against England.
These centuries mark a significant turnaround for Gill in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. Before this series, he had no centuries in these countries. His recent scores of 102 at Headingley and 114 at Edgbaston highlight his growth and adaptability.
Shubman Gill's journey to Test captaincy is noteworthy. Following Rohit Sharma's retirement, the 25-year-old was appointed as India's 37th Test captain. Gill is leading the team through a transition phase, with senior players like Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin also stepping away from the format. Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, has emphasized the long-term vision behind Gill's appointment, highlighting his progress over the past year.
Despite being relatively new to red-ball captaincy, Gill has experience leading the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. His leadership skills and batting talent have made him a promising prospect for Indian cricket. Some experts, like Irfan Pathan, believe Gill needs time to find his footing and that he will grow into the role with more experience.
Gill joins an elite list of Indian captains with a century on their Test debut, including Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli. He is also the youngest Indian to score a fifty on his captaincy debut.
While India's historical record in England has been challenging, with only 9 wins out of 67 Tests, Gill's performance offers hope for the future. His consecutive centuries and leadership on the field signal a new era for Indian cricket.