As the calendar turns halfway through 2025, Shubman Gill has cemented his place not just as a prodigious talent but as arguably India’s most complete cricketer across all three formats.
With a breathtaking 269-run knock at Edgbaston, the 25-year-old Indian captain Shubman Gill has not only posted the highest individual score by an Indian on English soil, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s iconic 221 at The Oval in 1979, but also emerged as India’s best batter across all formats this calendar year. Shubman Gill’s numbers in 2025 speak volumes about his consistency, adaptability, and technical evolution.
Tests: 457 runs in 3 matches at an average of 91.40
ODIs: 447 runs in 8 matches at 63.85 with a strike rate of 89.57
IPL 2025: 650 runs in 15 matches at 50.00 average and 155.87 SR
In a cricketing era of format specialists, Shubman Gill has separated himself by excelling in all three with equal command – anchoring innings in Tests, pacing ODIs with maturity, and detonating attacks in T20s. India captain Shubman Gill has started his England Test series exceptionally well. Shubman Gill has hit 3 hundreds in his first two matches, playing a crucial role in India levelling the series in the 2nd Test at Edgbaston.
With already 585 runs in the bag, Shubman Gill is extremely well placed to create history in Test cricket by going past the tallies of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar and Don Bradman. Gavaskar holds the record for most runs by an Indian batter in any Test series. Gavaskar scored 774 runs in 4 matches in India’s historic Test outing in West Indies way back in 1970/71. Gavaskar batted at an average of 154.80 in that series.
Similarly, the list of most runs by a batter in a single Test series is led by Don Bradman, who slammed 974 runs in 5 matches when Australia travelled to England in 1930. Bradman batted at a ridiculous average of 139.14, which also included his legendary 334, an iconic mark in Australian cricket.
Former India batter Dilip Vengsarkar lauded Shubman Gill for his captaincy as well as his batting in the ongoing series against England, adding that the young India players led by their captain are capable of taking the country forward. Before the series began, there were a lot of concerns about this team which was bereft of the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin on what they could achieve in England.
But the team, under the stewardship of Gill, levelled the series 1-1 in Edgbaston even without the services of their express pacer Jasprit Bumrah who was not included in the 2nd test team for workload management.
Dilip Vengsarkar is all praise of Shubman Gill’s sublime form
Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar believes Shubman Gill’s blistering run with the bat in the ongoing Test series in England has not only strengthened his authority as skipper but also showcased his world-class calibre. However, the veteran cautioned against chasing personal records, urging Gill to focus on match-winning contributions instead.
Shubman Gill has been in scintillating form, racking up 585 runs in just four innings, including three centuries—the highest being a commanding 269. His efforts propelled India to a 336-run victory in the second Test, levelling the five-match series 1-1 after a disappointing start at Leeds.
“He did very well as a captain, as a batsman. It was very important that he scored runs so that he can call the shots and lead from the front, which is very important and he has done that,” Vengsarkar told the media as quoted by PTI.
The 25-year-old Shubman Gill now stands within reach of Sir Donald Bradman’s all-time record of 974 runs in a single Test series, set during the 1930 Ashes. While Vengsarkar acknowledged Shubman Gill’s form and ability to chase down the milestone, he urged caution.
“Well, he is in great form and he is an outstanding batsman. I hope he does that. I don’t know whether he will do it, but I am sure that he has got an opportunity,” Vengsarkar said.
“But then, what is important is not (get into chasing) personal milestone. Because we are obsessed with personal milestone, which is wrong. The important (point) is to win matches for our country. That is what matters. And the impact of innings or a spell is what matters in the ultimate analysis.”
Without naming individuals, he praised the team’s efforts despite the absence of key players and backed India to take the lead at Lord’s. “India have performed very well… I expect them to win at Lord’s and go 2-1.” he concluded
With the next Test starting in only three days’ time, it would be interesting to see what sort of pitch the hosts prepare, considering the result in Birmingham. India on the other hand, whose chances were doubted after England’s fine win in Headingley last week, leave Birmingham with their first Test victory at Edgbaston at the ninth attempt.It also brilliantly sets up the remainder of the series, which continues at Lord’s on Thursday having a series levelled at 1-1.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball