Shubman Gill Makes History: Four Tons as Captain, First Asian to 700+ Runs in England
On Day 5 of the Fourth Test at Old Trafford, India captain Shubman Gill produced a defining innings of 103, steering India away from collapse and into a match-saving draw. His gritty performance not only frustrated England’s bid to seal the series but also etched multiple Test cricket records—solidifying his emergence as a generational leader.
Recovery from Crisis: Gill’s Fourth Ton of the Series
- India resumed on 223/4, still trailing England by 88 runs, after wickets of KL Rahul (90) and others left the showdown in balance.
- Gill carried India through, raising his fourth century of the series in 238 deliveries, before falling just before lunch to a sharp Jofra Archer delivery—and remaining India’s top scorer at 103.
- His knock not only rescued India from early trouble but also cemented his place in cricket folklore as the third captain in Test history to hit four centuries in a single series, joining legends Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar.
Landmark Achievements & Table-Turners
- First Asian to score over 700 runs in a single Test series in England: On surpassing 700 runs, Gill became the first Asian to cross this threshold in an English series.
- Stacking up performance: His tally of ninth Test century overall, surpassing records held by Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
Career Momentum: From Headingley to Manchester
- Gill’s record-melting form started early at Headingley, where he made his captaincy debut with a ton, becoming only the fifth Indian captain to score a hundred on debut and the fourth to do so in SENA countrie.
- It peaked spectacularly at Edgbaston (Second Test) where he scored 269 and 161 in the same Test—becoming the first ever to score a double century and 150 in the same Test, and only the fifth batter to cross 400 runs in a match.
- This Manchester knock reinforced Gill’s mastery: a thoughtful captain’s innings delivered under duress and high stakes.
Tactical Match Impact: How Gill Changed the Game
- At 0–2 early, India looked torn. Gill and Rahul stitched together a 188-run third-wicket stand that swung match momentum. Gill’s calm technique neutralised England despite early pressure.
- After Rahul’s dismissal, Gill absorbed a blow to the hand, stayed focused, and ensured India held firm into the final session. His discipline against priceless English swing was top class.
Afternoon Fightback: Jadeja & Sundar Hold Firm
- Following Gill’s dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar anchored India through the afternoon, forging a 154-run unbroken stand that turned a potential collapse into a surviving draw.
- India closed at 377/4, leading by 66 runs and denying England any further breakthroughs in the last session.
What Sets Gill Apart?
Captaincy & Consistency
- Four centuries in a single series as captain is an elite milestone matched only by Bradman and Gavaskar.
- Gill’s runs in England outstrip predecessor records—he’s the first Asian in history to reach 700+ Test runs in one England series.
Technical Maturity
- Unlike flashy rookies, Gill has displayed classical technique throughout: forward defence, controlled strike rotation, and shot selection under pressure.
Record Stature
- Archive-shattering performances at Edgbaston (269) and Manchester (103) placed him above icons like Tendulkar, Kohli, and Smith.
Series Snapshot & What Lies Ahead
| Player | Centuries in series | Runs in series | Key Records held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 4 (Edgbaston, etc.) | 722+ (avg ~90) | First Asian to 700+ in England; only skipper with 4+ tons in one series; two scores above 150 in 1 Test |
| KL Rahul | 1 (90 in 4th Test) | Consistent | Side anchor but overshadowed by Gill’s run spree |
India’s draw in Manchester keeps the series alive at 2–1; the final Test at The Oval (Aug 4–8) will now be decisive.
England needed eight wickets on Day 5 but could not find a second breakthrough post Rahul—Gill’s knock and the lower order combined to shut the door.
What This Means for India & Test Cricket
- Leadership continuation: The early confidence shown by selectors in making Gill captain is paying dividends through consistency and record-breaking.
- Classic Test reinforcement: Gill’s game anchors a resurgence of technique-led Test batting rather than powerplay aggression—his innings recall the fundamentals of forward defense and concentration.
- Generational shift: His ascendancy ahead of players like Kohli and Smith reshapes India’s batting core and leadership bench.
Shubman Gill’s century in Manchester was more than just runs—it was a declaration. A captain’s innings under pressure that wrote new chapters in Test history: four centuries as skipper in one series, the first Asian to cross 700 plus runs in England, eclipsing Kohli and Smith. Alongside Jadeja and Sundar’s grit in the final session, India salvaged a draw—keeping the series alive and setting up a mouth-watering finale at The Oval.
Gill’s rise is not just statistical—it’s legacy in the making. Indian cricket enters a new era where youth and class combine under his leadership.
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