Birmingham, July 3, 2025 — Shubman Gill, India’s dynamic Test captain, delivered a breathtaking performance on the first day of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, scoring an unbeaten 114 off 216 balls to propel India to a commanding 310 for 5. Shubman Gill‘s masterful century, his seventh in Test cricket and second as captain, showcased his maturity, leadership, and ability to anchor the innings under pressure. Coming on the heels of his 147 in the first Test at Headingley, this back-to-back century has cemented Gill’s reputation as one of India’s brightest cricketing stars.
A Captain’s Knock by Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill’s innings was a perfect blend of resilience and flair. Facing a challenging England bowling attack led by Chris Woakes (2/59), Gill played with remarkable composure, reaching his century off 199 deliveries with 12 elegant fours. His knock was described as a “masterful captain’s knock” by commentators, with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praising him as “In Total Control” for his disciplined yet aggressive approach. Gill’s ability to wear down England’s bowlers while playing confident strokes silenced critics who questioned India’s decision to rest star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for this match.
The 25-year-old’s partnership with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a brisk 87, yielded 155 runs for the first wicket, setting a solid foundation. Despite losing key wickets, including Karun Nair (31) and Rishabh Pant (25), Gill remained unfazed, guiding India to a competitive total alongside Ravindra Jadeja, who was unbeaten on 41 at stumps.
HUNDRED in Headingley 💯
HUNDRED in Edgbaston 💯
Captain Shubman Gill gets his 7th Test Century 🤩
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— BCCI (@BCCI) July 2, 2025
Historic Milestones
Shubman Gill’s century was not just a personal triumph but a historic achievement. He became only the fourth Indian captain to score centuries in his first two Tests as captain, joining the elite company of Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, and Mohammad Azharuddin. This feat underscores his growing stature as a leader since taking over the captaincy following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket.
Additionally, Gill surpassed MS Dhoni’s tally of 15 international centuries, reaching 16 with this Edgbaston knock. This century also marked his third consecutive Test hundred, including a previous ton at Dharamsala in 2024, placing him among India’s most prolific batsmen. Gill also matched Azharuddin and Kohli for the most centuries (2) by an Indian Test captain in England, further etching his name in the record books.
India’s Strategic Gambit
India’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah raised eyebrows, especially with the team trailing 1-0 in the five-match series. However, Gill’s leadership and batting prowess ensured the absence of the star bowler did not derail the team’s momentum on Day 1. Supported by contributions from Jadeja and Nair, India’s batting lineup displayed resilience, with Gill’s disciplined innings proving pivotal in countering England’s bowling attack, which included wickets from Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, and Shoaib Bashir.
As Day 2 begins, India will look to Gill and Jadeja to extend their partnership and push for a massive first-innings total. With England’s bowlers toiling, Gill’s presence at the crease gives India a strong chance to dominate the match and level the series. His ability to lead from the front, coupled with his mature and responsible batting, has not only put India on track for a potential victory but also signaled a bright future for Indian cricket under his captaincy.