In only his second outing as India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill produced a masterclass for the ages, striking a majestic career-best 269 to set up a towering first-innings total of 587 before India’s bowlers ripped through England’s top order on the second day of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Resuming on 114 overnight with Ravindra Jadeja at the other end, Gill batted with a serene assurance that left even his teammates in awe.
I worked on a few things before the series I thought were important for me going into Test cricket. Looking at the results, those things are working for me.
His innings — now the highest by an Indian batter against England, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 254* and falling just one run short of Rahul Dravid’s 270—rescued India from a potentially vulnerable 211/5. It also put the visitors in a position from which they may not have to bat again.
Ravindra Jadeja, who contributed a fluent 89 in a mammoth 203-run sixth-wicket partnership, said Gill looked completely untroubled.
No, he looked very confident, honestly. It doesn’t look like he is burdened by captaincy. He is carrying the responsibility. There was no feeling in his batting that he was under pressure because of the first Test defeat or the extra expectations.
He added, “Today, unexpectedly, the ball went to the fielder’s hand. Otherwise, it didn’t look like he would get out at all. When we were batting together, we just kept telling each other: ‘Let’s take this as deep as we can.’”
Gill’s composure and shot selection were exemplary. He faced 387 deliveries, peppering the outfield with 30 fours and three sixes, including a string of crisp drives and audacious sweeps that showcased his full repertoire.
He found excellent support not only from Jadeja but also from Washington Sundar, who contributed 42 in a 144-run stand for the seventh wicket. Gill’s dominance was such that he became only the second Indian Test captain to score a double century in England.
For England’s bowlers, there was little respite. Shoaib Bashir toiled for figures of 3-167, while Chris Woakes (2-81) and Josh Tongue (2-119) shared the other wickets.
After Gill’s departure—caught hooking in the final session to a standing ovation—India’s pacers quickly seized the moment.
Akash Deep, playing in place of a rested Jasprit Bumrah, delivered a dream opening burst. He struck with only his second ball, luring Ben Duckett into an edge that Gill himself snaffled brilliantly at second slip.
Going and getting that catch was good for confidence. Fielding was something we spoke about between the two Tests. If we were half as good [in the field at Headingley], the result would have been different.
Akash then removed Ollie Pope for a duck, before Mohammed Siraj joined the party, dismissing Zak Crawley to leave England reeling at 39/3.
At stumps, Joe Root (18*) and Harry Brook (30*) were trying to steady the innings but faced a mountain of a deficit—still trailing by 510 runs.
India’s ascendancy was total, and the day undoubtedly belonged to their young captain, who showed he could lead not just with tactics but with a bat in hand as commanding as any in world cricket.
Brief Scores: India 587 in 151 overs (Shubman Gill 269, Ravindra Jadeja 89, Yashasvi Jaiswal 87, Washington Sundar 42; Shoaib Bashir 3-167, Chris Woakes 2-81, Josh Tongue 2-119) England 77/3 in 20 overs (Harry Brook 30*, Joe Root 18*; Akash Deep 2-36, Mohammed Siraj 1-21) India lead by 510 runs.
