In a remarkable display of endurance, precision, and leadership, Indian captain Shubman Gill scripted history by scoring a monumental 269 runs during the second Test against England at Edgbaston. His innings, which came off 387 deliveries and featured 30 boundaries and three sixes, lifted India to a mammoth first-innings total of 587 runs, putting the visitors in complete control of the match.
Gill’s knock is now etched in Indian cricket history as the highest Test score by an Indian on English soil, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s 221 at The Oval in 1979. It is also the highest score by an Indian captain in Test cricket, overtaking Virat Kohli’s 254 'in 2019. The innings reflects Gill's maturity as a leader and a top-order batsman, showcasing his ability to carry the team through testing conditions.
The 24-year-old also became the first Indian captain to score a double century outside the subcontinent and the youngest Indian skipper to achieve a Test double, a record previously held by the late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Additionally, Gill now holds the record for the highest score by an Indian batting at number four in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries, outdoing Sachin Tendulkar’s 241' in Sydney.
India’s innings was not a one-man show. Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed a solid 87 at the top of the order while Ravindra Jadeja added a valuable 89 in the middle, offering stability and momentum. Together, they helped build partnerships that kept England’s bowlers under constant pressure throughout Day 1 and 2.
In reply, England ended Day 2 at 77 for 3, still trailing by 510 runs. Indian pacers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj struck early, removing key batsmen and ensuring India maintained their stronghold on the match. Deep finished the day with figures of 2 for 13, while Siraj picked up one wicket.
Cricketing legends and commentators have widely praised Gill’s innings. Former England captain Michael Atherton noted the rarity of such an achievement by pointing out that neither Tendulkar nor Kohli managed a double century in England during their illustrious careers. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also reiterated his belief in Gill’s leadership potential, calling the innings a major step in fulfilling that promise.
As the third day approaches, India faces a strategic decision—whether to enforce the follow-on if England fails to cross the 387-run mark, or to bat again and build an insurmountable lead. With bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah possibly returning to the attack, India appears well-positioned to square the five-match series, which England currently leads 1-0.
Gill’s innings, now being hailed as one of the finest overseas knocks by an Indian captain, not only boosted India's chances in the ongoing match but also sent a clear signal about his growing stature in world cricket. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on how he navigates the challenges of leading the team while maintaining this exceptional form with the bat.