India Test captain Shubman Gill marked his place in the history books again with a breathtaking unbeaten 114 on Day 1 of the second England Test at Edgbaston. With this century, his seventh overall in Test cricket and second in captaincy, Gill became part of a rare club of Indian legends who have scored hundreds in both their first two tests as captain’s something only Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli had managed before.
The 25-year-old completed the follow-up to his 147 in the first Test in Leeds with another masterclass at Birmingham, cementing his credentials as a leader and run-machine in the red-ball game. Gill’s century was achieved in challenging conditions after England chose to bowl first on cloudy days. India were 310/5 in 85 overs at the end of Day 1, with Gill and Ravindra Jadeja (41*) together at the crease, having laid a solid platform for the visitors.
A Record-Breaking Streak for Shubman Gill as Test Captain
Gill’s back-to-back centuries as captain have placed him alongside Indian cricket legends. Vijay Hazare struck 164* and 155 in his first two Tests as captain in 1951. Sunil Gavaskar followed suit with scores of 116 and 205 in his early days as skipper. Virat Kohli, the most recent before Gill, smashed 115, 141, and 147 in his first two Tests as leader during India’s 2014-15 Australia tour.
Gill’s knock at Edgbaston was also his first century at the venue, making him only the fifth Indian to score a Test hundred at this iconic ground. He joins the elite company of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja all of whom have left their mark at Edgbaston in previous tours.
Building the Innings Amid Early Setbacks
India’s top order had to weather a fiery English pace attack early on. KL Rahul departed for just 2, while Karun Nair contributed 31 before falling to Brydon Carse. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided early momentum with a fluent 87, but it was Gill who held the innings together with composure and patience.
The Indian skipper took 216 deliveries to get to 114*, showcasing his maturity in handling pressure and grinding out runs. He struck 12 boundaries in a knock that blended elegance with grit.
Rishabh Pant added a quick 25, while Nitish Reddy managed only a single before falling to Chris Woakes. Jadeja joined Gill at 211/5 and the pair steered India safely to stumps.
Shubman Gill Sets Stage for Day 2 Dominance
India will aim to build a massive first-innings total on Day 2 with Gill still unbeaten and looking in sublime form. With support from Jadeja and a deep batting lineup that includes Washington Sundar, the visitors have a strong chance to control the game early.
As captain, Shubman Gill continues to lead from the front, not just with strategies but with bat in hand a sign that Indian cricket’s future is in formidable hands.
