Shubman Gill has etched his name in the record books with a magnificent double century in the ongoing Test match against England, joining an elite list of Indian captains to achieve this feat. At 25 years and 298 days, Gill became the second-youngest Indian captain to score a Test double hundred. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi remains the youngest, having achieved the milestone at 23 years and 39 days.
Gill's innings was not only a personal milestone but also a historic achievement for India. He is now the sixth Indian captain to score a double century in Test cricket, joining the ranks of MAK Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli. Among these, Virat Kohli leads with 7 double centuries.
Furthermore, Gill's double century is only the second by an Indian captain in overseas Tests, following Virat Kohli's 200 against the West Indies in North Sound in 2016. Gill also became the first Asian captain to score a Test double hundred in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia). The previous best was Tillakaratne Dilshan's 193 at Lord's in 2011.
The young skipper also set a new record for the highest score by an Indian captain in a Test innings in England, surpassing Mohammad Azharuddin's 179 scored in 1990. Gill's score is also the highest Test score by an Indian batter in England, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at The Oval in 1979.
Gill reached his double century in just his third innings as captain, the joint-quickest for India, alongside Sunil Gavaskar. Gill is also now the fourth Indian to have double centuries in Tests and ODIs, after Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag.
His innings was characterized by remarkable control and composure. According to CricViz, Gill's false shot percentage during his knock was just 3.5 percent, the most secure century ever scored on English shores since such records have been kept. The average false shot percentage in England is 12 percent. The BBC reported that this was the most controlled hundred in England since 2006, when such numbers began being collated.
Gill's double century is the 11th instance of a captain scoring a double century in England. Only Graeme Smith, with his twin double tons in 2003, was younger than Gill when achieving this feat. Gill's innings of 229no is now the highest Test score by an Indian batter in England.
