In 1971, a young Sunil Gavaskar etched his name into cricketing folklore by scoring a staggering 774 runs in a single Test series against the mighty West Indies, a record that has stood tall for more than five decades. But now, another ‘SG’, Shubman Gill, is within striking distance of toppling that legendary feat.
After scores of 16, 6, and 12 in his last 3 outings, many questioned if the young gun was already done for this series after an insane run-scoring spree in the first 2 Tests. Had the English bowlers figured him out? The pressure was mounting, the criticism was growing but as India stood at a disastrous 0/2, trailing by 311 runs, Shubman Gill rose. And rose like a champion.
Gill’s sensational comeback has now taken him into elite territory. With 697 runs and counting for the series, he is already the highest-scoring Asian batter in a Test series in England, surpassing some of the continent’s biggest names. He’s also the first Asian to cross the 650-run mark in a single series on English soil. But he’s not done yet.
With three innings still left (barring weather or early finishes), Gill is on course to eclipse Gavaskar’s iconic 774-run milestone. And that would not just be a personal milestone, but a once-in-a-generation achievement, rewriting Indian Test history.
What makes this even more special is the context. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sudharsan had faltered, leaving fans disheartened. But Shubman Gill, alongside KL Rahul, mounted a fierce fightback, one that has kept India alive in the contest. Still, the job is far from finished.
With the final day of the Test match looming large, it’s clear: Gill will be India’s biggest hope. If they are to save the match, he needs to stay put at the crease. The temperament, the class, and the timing, all eyes are now on Gill to deliver.
So, with history within reach and pressure mounting, can Shubman Gill break the record that even legends couldn’t touch for half a century?
Time will tell, but one thing is certain, the next few days belong to Shubman Gill.
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