Shubman Gill etched his name into the record books with a magnificent double century in the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Gill's career-defining knock put India in a commanding position, leading the team to a formidable first-innings total of 587.
Gill's innings was a masterclass in Test match batting, combining solid defense with aggressive strokeplay. He displayed remarkable composure and skill, dismantling the English bowling attack. His 269 runs came off 387 balls and included 30 boundaries and three sixes. This was his highest First-Class score, surpassing his previous best of 268.
In the process of scoring his maiden double hundred, Gill broke several records and joined an elite list of Indian cricketers. He became the first Indian captain to score a double century in England. Gill also registered the highest-ever Test score by an Indian captain, surpassing Virat Kohli's 254* against South Africa in 2019. His score is also the highest individual score by an Indian batter on English soil, overtaking Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at the Oval in 1979. Gill is only the fifth Indian to record a double hundred in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries.
Gill is the sixth Indian captain to score a double century. Other Indian captains who have achieved this feat are MAK Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli. Gill's double century is only the second by an Indian captain in overseas Tests, after Kohli's 200 against the West Indies at North Sound in 2016. Gill got to his double century in just his third innings as captain, the joint-quickest for India, alongside Sunil Gavaskar. He is also the first Asian captain to register a double century in SENA countries.
Gill found valuable support from Yashasvi Jaiswal (87) and Ravindra Jadeja (89), who contributed significantly to India's imposing total. Gill and Jadeja combined for a 203-run partnership, which helped India recover from 211-5. Washington Sundar also added a valuable 42.
England's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, with Shoaib Bashir taking three wickets. Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue managed two wickets each. England employed short-ball tactics and even used Harry Brook, but they couldn't break Gill's momentum.
At the end of the second day, England were 77 for three, trailing India by 510 runs. Akash Deep struck twice, dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, while Mohammed Siraj removed Zak Crawley. Joe Root (18) and Harry Brook (30) were at the crease, attempting to steady the ship for England.
