NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill continued his golden run with the bat, scoring his seventh Test century — and second in as many matches since taking over as India’s Test captain — to put India in a commanding position on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday. Gill’s composed knock came at a crucial juncture, rescuing India from a shaky middle order and steering the team into a position of strength. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Gill stitched together a solid, unbeaten sixth-wicket stand that not only stabilised the innings but also seized momentum from the hosts. The pair looked untroubled by the English attack as they steadily built India’s lead.
In the process, Gill etched his name into the history books. At just 25 years old, he became the first Indian captain to score over 300 runs in an overseas Test series at that age. His innings also placed him in elite company — he’s now only the third Indian captain to register a 150-plus score in Test cricket before turning 26, joining the legendary MAK Pataudi (who achieved the feat twice) and Sachin Tendulkar.Gill’s knock also has special historical significance in English conditions. His score is now the second-highest by an Indian captain in a Test match in England, behind only Mohammad Azharuddin’s 179 at Old Trafford in 1990.
