Just 53 runs. That’s all Shubman Gill needed in the Oval Test to break one of Indian cricket’s oldest Test records — Sunil Gavaskar’s iconic 774-run haul in a single Test series, set back in 1971.
But in a dramatic finish to an unforgettable tour of England, Gill’s dream ended at 754 runs, 20 short of greatness. Yet, to focus only on what he didn’t achieve would be to miss the real story.
London Pains, Outside Gains
There’s a curious stat that perfectly captures Gill’s form. In two Tests played in London (Lord’s and The Oval), Gill could only manage 54 runs in four innings. But outside London, he was an unstoppable force, smashing 700 runs across six innings.
Historic, Even Without the Record
While Gavaskar’s record stands, for now, Gill’s series remains historic. He’s now second on the list of most Test runs by a captain in a single series, behind only Don Bradman, who scored 810 runs as skipper during the 1936–37 Ashes. But there’s more. Gill also scored four centuries, a feat matched by only Bradman and Gavaskar in the past as captain. That’s not just historic, that’s elite company.
Turning Criticism Into Confidence
Heading into this series, Gill’s Test credentials were under scrutiny. His career average hovered around 35, and questions about his consistency persisted. But with a remarkable run of form, he’s now pushed that number past 41, silencing doubters with every cover drive and backfoot punch.
A Statement Series
In the end, Gill didn’t need to cross 774 to make history, he made his own version of it. In his first series as captain, in testing English conditions, under enormous pressure, he delivered a tour de force. He announced himself as the next great hope of Indian Test cricket.
Twenty runs short? Maybe. But in the story of modern Indian cricket, this series will be remembered as the one where Shubman Gill came of age. Because if this is what Gill’s first series as captain looked like, the future might just belong to him.
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