KL Rahul and Shubman Gill at Old Trafford, Manchester. (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill and opener KL Rahul scripted history on Saturday as they became the first Indian batting duo in 55 years to each score 500-plus runs in an away Test series — a milestone last achieved by legends Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Sardesai in 1970-71.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Their record-breaking partnership came at a crucial time for India during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. Chasing survival after a brutal English assault powered by Ben Stokes’ superb 141 and England’s massive 669, India were rocked early — reduced to 0/2 in the very first over with both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan falling for ducks.But Gill (78*) and Rahul (87*) weathered the storm with a stunning rearguard action. The duo took India to 174/2 at stumps on Day 4, still trailing by 137 runs, but with momentum swinging back slightly towards the visitors.While anchoring India’s hopes for a draw, both batters also etched their names into the record books. Gill’s tally in the series climbed to a staggering 697 runs, while Rahul breached the 500-run mark — becoming only the second Indian opener to do so in an away series after Gavaskar.This is only the second instance in Indian cricket history where two batters have scored over 500 runs each in a single away Test series. The previous occurrence was in 1970-71, when Gavaskar (774) and Sardesai (642) tore apart West Indies’ bowling attack.
Multiple Indian batters with 500-plus in the same away Test series
- Sunil Gavaskar (774) & Dilip Sardesai (642) vs WI, 1970-71
- Shubman Gill (697) & KL Rahul (508) vs ENG, 2025
Rahul also became just the second visiting Asian opener to score 500+ runs in a Test series in England after Gavaskar’s 542-run effort in 1979, and the first visiting opener since South Africa’s Graeme Smith (714 in 2003) to achieve the feat in the country in the 21st century.With one day remaining in the Test, Gill and Rahul’s historic partnership has given India hope — and a firm grip on the record books.
