Page 48 - The Indian EYE 081525

STUMP VISION AUGUST 08, 2025 | The Indian Eye 48

Gill the Giant Slayer: How Shubman’s

Bat and Brain Lit Up England

In his first Test series as India’s captain, Shubman Gill combined run-gluttony with ice-cool leadership to steer

a transitional side to a 2-2 draw in England — earning praise from none other than Sachin Tendulkar

OUR BUREAU
London (UK)
hubman Gill’s summer in England was the
kind of campaign that rewrites reputations.
SArriving with questions hanging over his
overseas record, the 25-year-old left with his name
etched alongside — and in some cases above — the
giants of Indian batting history. It was a tour where
the ‘Prince’ stepped out of Virat Kohli’s shadow,
wore the captain’s blazer for the first time in Tests,
and delivered a statistical and tactical masterclass
that England won’t forget in a hurry.
Gill walked into the Anderson–Tendulkar Tro-
phy under immense pressure. Since his dazzling 91
at Brisbane in 2021, his away record had been mod-
est, with no score above 40 outside Asia. The chal-
lenge was monumental: lead a young side without
the recently retired stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat
Kohli, and R. Ashwin, and do it against a rejuve-
nated England brimming with the aggressive intent
of ‘Bazball.’ By the end of the series, Gill had not
only silenced his critics but also drawn compari-
sons with Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and
even Don Bradman.

A SUMMER OF RECORDS

ill’s series began with redemption at Leeds. India captain Shubman Gill and teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrate after defeating England by 6 runs in the 5th test match of
His 147 in the first innings was his maiden Anderson-Tendulkar Series, at Kennington Oval stadium (@BCCI X/ANI Photo)
Gcentury outside Asia — a landmark that
also made him the fourth Indian, after Vijay Haz- highest-ever run tally by an Indian against England and showing a consistent willingness to respect the
are, Gavaskar, and Kohli, to score a century in his in a series. good ball. His front-foot defence, Tendulkar said,
first innings as captain. In doing so, he crossed the was “solid,” and his shot selection “precise.” It was
2,000-run mark in Tests, mirroring Kohli’s mile- CAPTAIN COOL UNDER ‘BAZBALL’ HEAT this clarity of thought, visible in his movements at
stone moment in 2014. the crease, that made Gill look “so much in con-
Then came the Edgbaston epic — 269 in the hubman’s leadership drew almost as much
first innings and 161 in the second. India had never attention as his batting. In a series where En- trol” across the five Tests.
won a Test at Birmingham, and Gill’s double-act Sgland’s ultra-attacking approach could have A SERIES FOR THE AGES
changed that, setting up a thumping 336-run vic- rattled even seasoned skippers, Gill stayed calm.
tory. The double ton was the highest score by an Bowling changes, field settings, and the ability to ill’s final tally — 774 runs at 75.40 with four
Indian captain anywhere, surpassing Kohli’s 254*, keep his team focused in high-pressure sessions centuries — was the second-best by an Indi-
and the best by any Indian in England, eclipsing earned him respect. Sachin Tendulkar noted how Gan in a Test series, behind only Gavaskar’s
Gavaskar’s 221 at The Oval in 1979. He also be- Gill “looked calm and composed” even when part- 774 against West Indies in 1971. For a debut series
came the first Asian captain to score a double cen- nerships were swelling and runs flowing freely. as captain, it was the second-highest in history, be-
tury in each of the SENA countries (South Africa, Tendulkar, though, offered a touch of tactical hind Bradman’s 810 against England in 1936–37.
England, New Zealand, and Australia). advice. Against a side like England, he said, there’s Along the way, he crossed 6,000 international runs,
The numbers were staggering: sixth Indian room for “boring cricket” — slowing the game, with his Test numbers now reading 2,615 runs at
with a 250-plus Test score, first to do it outside the taking the sting out of their tempo. “Things could 41.35 in 37 matches.
subcontinent, second-highest match aggregate for have been different,” the Master Blaster reflected, The 2-2 result may not have been a series win,
an Indian captain, and second only to Graham “but there are no ifs and buts in cricket. Overall, a but for a team in transition, it was a statement. Gill
Gooch for most runs in a single Test. By the time fantastic approach.” had led from the front, matched England blow for
he scored his fourth century of the series at Man- Tendulkar’s praise for Gill’s batting was ef- blow, and left with a reputation burnished beyond
chester, Gill had matched Gavaskar and Bradman fusive. He highlighted Gill’s subtle technical ad- recognition. The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy had
for most hundreds in a single series by a captain, justments — bringing the bat ahead of the pads been billed as a trial by fire. Gill turned it into a
overtaken Kohli’s best SENA tour, and posted the more often, refining footwork to buy extra time, coronation.

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