Shubman Gill etched his name in cricket history at Old Trafford, surpassing Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored by an Indian captain in a Test series. This achievement came during a crucial juncture in the fourth Test against England, as Gill led a recovery after a disastrous start for India.
India faced an uphill battle after England posted a formidable total of 669, gaining a massive 311-run lead. The situation worsened when India began their second innings, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan for ducks in the very first over. The team was reeling at 0/2, and the pressure was immense.
In this dire situation, captain Shubman Gill stepped up, partnering with KL Rahul to stage a remarkable fightback. The duo exhibited resilience and skill, defying England's bowlers and building a much-needed partnership. Gill, in particular, displayed exceptional composure, anchoring the innings and steadily accumulating runs.
During his innings, Gill surpassed Virat Kohli's record of 692 runs, which Kohli had set during the 2014/15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Gill's feat marked the highest-ever Test series tally by an Indian captain. By the end of the fourth day, Gill had amassed 697 runs in the series. He remained unbeaten on 78 off 167 balls at stumps on Day 4. En route to his record, Gill also passed Mohammad Yousuf's record for most runs scored by an Asian batter in a Test series played in England. Yousuf had scored 631 runs in 2006.
Gill and Rahul's partnership not only rescued India from a precarious position but also created history. Their century stand for the third wicket was the first such instance for India after they were 0/2 in 48 years. Rahul also contributed significantly, scoring a half-century and providing solid support to his captain.
At stumps on Day 4, India were 174/2, still trailing England by 137 runs. While the match remained far from over, Gill's record-breaking innings and his partnership with Rahul had instilled hope and renewed India's chances of saving the Test.
Shubman Gill's performance at Old Trafford was a testament to his talent, temperament, and leadership. By surpassing Virat Kohli's record and leading India's fightback, Gill had firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. He is now aiming to join Sunil Gavaskar and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the only Indian cricketers to score over 700 runs in a Test series.
