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STUMP VISION JULY 11, 2025 | The Indian Eye 42

Captain Composed: Shubman Gill’s Record-Breaking

Knock Proves He’s Built for Greatness

Gill’s monumental double century is not just a personal triumph — it’s a coming-of-age moment for a
cricketer widely hailed as the future of Indian cricket, now proving he’s ready for the present

ASIM KHANNA drama or overt display of authority. It
was about quietly grinding down the
Birmingham (UK)
opposition, showing resilience after
n a sun-drenched afternoon in every delivery, and always playing for
Birmingham, with England’s the team.
Obowlers wilting and records Gill’s performance also stood out
tumbling, Shubman Gill carved out for its timing and significance. In his
an innings for the ages — a 387-ball first major overseas tour as captain,
masterclass of 269 runs, marked by and with India needing a revival af-
patience, elegance, and an unflinch- ter a shaky start to the innings, he ab-
ing resolve. But this wasn’t just about sorbed the pressure and dictated the
numbers. This was about presence. tempo of the match. He reached his
In just his third Test as captain, the first 150 with signature fluency and
25-year-old showed the world that he then marched on to 200 with reverse
isn’t just a gifted stroke-player — he’s sweeps, elegant drives, and sheer grit.
a leader with the temperament of a His innings was not just techni-
monk and the precision of a surgeon. cally sound but tactically brilliant.
From the moment he walked Aware of how England’s seamers
in on Day 1 with India wobbling at relied on swing and bounce, Gill
211/5, to the moment he walked off mixed caution with aggression, capi-
with the highest Test score by an In- talizing on bad balls but rarely taking
dian in England, Gill exuded a calm unnecessary risks. After reaching his
rarely seen in players so young. While double hundred, he switched gears,
the scoreboard dazzled with bound- peppering the field with boundaries
aries, milestones, and partnerships, it and bringing up India’s 500 with ease.
was his poise under pressure that won The temperament was unmis-
hearts — and drew unanimous praise takably Dravid-like — calm, focused,
from some of cricket’s biggest voices. and relentless. But the strokeplay car-
Cricketers past and present ried traces of Tendulkar’s finesse and
lined up to applaud his masterclass. Sehwag’s daring. It was a rare blend,
Shikhar Dhawan called it “not just perhaps unique to Gill alone.
a milestone, but a strong message,” There’s a reason why many with-
while Virender Sehwag celebrated in Indian cricket see Gill not just as
the “patience, maturity, and skill” of the future, but as the present of the
the innings. Wasim Jaffer was more game. With Rohit Sharma and Virat
emphatic: “This is how you earn re- Kohli transitioning into the twilight
spect — from the dressing room, of their careers, Indian cricket need-
from the opposition, from the crick- ed a dependable star who could lead
eting world. Sublime innings.” with both the bat and brain. Gill, it
The statistical accolades are stag- seems, has arrived just in time.
gering. Gill became the youngest In- He has now joined a club of elite
dian captain to score a double centu- Indians — Sehwag, Tendulkar, Kohli
ry overseas after Mansoor Ali Khan — all of whom carried the team’s bat-
Pataudi. He is the first Indian skipper ting burden across continents. But
to reach a double ton in England, what sets Gill apart is his age, ma-
eclipsing Mohammad Azharuddin’s turity, and adaptability. His double
179 at Old Trafford. His 269 is now India’s captain Shubman Gill celebrates his double-century during Day 2 of the 2nd test century against England adds to his
the highest individual score by an match against England, at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday (@BCCI X/ANI Photo) growing reputation across formats,
Indian in England, overtaking Sunil having already scored centuries in
Gavaskar’s iconic 221 at The Oval. Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
But what left teammates and op- “He’s left the bowlers and fielders composure: “He does not look like a And with back-to-back partner-
ponents equally impressed was not exhausted,” said Patel. “They threw captain while batting — and I mean ships — 203 with Jadeja and 144 with
just the quantity of runs — it was the everything at him.” that in the best way. He carries extra Washington Sundar — he has also
quality and composure behind them. Closer to home, Gill’s team- responsibility so well, but you don’t shown that leadership means build-
England’s spin coach Jeetan mates couldn’t stop gushing. Ravin- see it affect his game.” ing others up, forming alliances in the
Patel was gracious in defeat, calling dra Jadeja, who stitched a 203-run Indeed, watching Gill bat was to middle, and guiding younger team-
Gill’s knock “a proper masterclass.” stand with the skipper, praised his watch leadership in action, minus the mates to play freely and fearlessly.

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