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In a momentous achievement for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill became the first Indian captain to score a double century in a Test match on England soil, reaching the historic milestone on Day 2 of the second Test at Edgbaston.
Shubman Gill creates history with the first double century by an Indian captain in England
Resuming the day unbeaten on 114, Gill continued from where he left off on Day 1, exhibiting tremendous poise, discipline, and elegant strokeplay to bring up his maiden Test double hundred. His innings was a blend of patience and authority, countering a disciplined English attack and making batting look easy on a surface that had offered early movement.
In doing so, Gill entered an exclusive club of Indian batters with double hundreds in England, joining the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who scored 221 at The Oval in 1979, and Rahul Dravid, who compiled 202 at the same venue in 2002. However, what sets Gill apart is the fact that he is the first Indian Test captain to achieve the feat in England, surpassing Mohammad Azharuddin’s 179 at Old Trafford in 1990 and Virat Kohli’s 149 at Edgbaston in 2018. This historic double ton also marked Gill’s highest Test score and firmly established him as a leader who rises under pressure.
What makes this knock even more special is the context of Gill’s struggles in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions. Coming into this series, Gill averaged just 25.7 across SENA nations, with a modest record of only two half-centuries. There were murmurs about his form and ability to deliver under pressure, especially in the longer format away from home. But at Edgbaston, with critics watching and his team in a tricky situation, Gill responded with a performance for the ages.
Gill and Ravindra Jadeja’s partnership turns the tide in India’s favour
India were teetering at 211/5 on Day 1, with the match precariously balanced when Gill and Ravindra Jadeja came together. What followed was a masterclass in Test match batting under pressure, as the pair stitched together a monumental 203-run stand for the sixth wicket, a partnership that not only bailed India out of trouble but laid the foundation for a formidable first-innings total.
Jadeja played a crucial supporting role, blending defense with selective aggression, while Gill anchored the innings with remarkable maturity. The duo’s synergy was evident as they rotated the strike efficiently and punished loose deliveries with precision. England’s bowlers were made to toil, their early success undone by Gill and Jadeja’s composure and resilience. Jadeja narrowly missed a century, falling for a well-compiled 89 to a sharp short delivery from Josh Tongue just before lunch on Day 2. Yet, the damage had been done. Their partnership had pushed India beyond 400, silencing critics and putting the visitors in a commanding position. Following Jadeja’s dismissal, Gill found an able partner in Washington Sundar, with whom he added a quick fifty-plus stand that propelled India beyond 500
Here’s how cricketers reacted:
Take a bow ! Making it look so easy on the big stage! Well played and well deserved double century 💯 an example of being unstoppable when the intent is clear 🔥
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
Beautiful from Shubman Gill. He has looked so serene and untroubled. He has ascended to another level.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Welcome to the 200 club 🔥
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket)
India's new captain has announced himself in England – and how! Highest score by an Indian batter in England 👏 Take a bow !
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
First Indian Captain to score 200 on the English soil. Determination in Shubman Gill’s eyes was quite evident. From charming strokes to solid defence everything was there in this special inning
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Gill-orious!
Just his 3rd innings as captain and Shubman Gill has already got a double ton. As flawless a knock as it gets. What an impressive young man!
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7)
Early signs this series is going to be mostly about the second innings. A bit like a tennis match where winning first two sets not a guarantee of a win. Having said that well done Gill! Well done new India batting! 👏👏👏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
A double for Gill.👌👌👌
Fabulous start to his leadership stint, this would do him a world of good moving forward.
It’s time for India to bat all day now.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99)
Waaah
Pure class batting, thay resulted in— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129)
Maiden Double-Hundred for Shubman Gill in Test Cricket 💯👌
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Also WATCH: Ravindra Jadeja brings out sword celebration after dazzling fifty on Day 2 of Edgbaston Test – ENG vs IND
