Shubman Gill falls short of Sunil Gavaskar's record, honored by the legend regardless
Doubts followed Shubman Gill to England as the young Indian batter set off on his maiden tour as the Test captain. Over a month into Gill's first series as the Indian skipper, he has proved the naysayers wrong. Every blot on his batting credentials in SENA countries, every apprehension over the batter's performance under the added pressure of captaincy, has been dashed after the five India vs England Tests. With four centuries in the series, including a double ton, Shubman Gill has toppled a plethora of records. However, one still eluded the youngster, owned by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar presents Shubman Gill will a special memoir for his record-breaking run in the India vs England series
Shubman Gill came agonizingly close to eclipsing one of the country’s most storied batting milestones. But the Indian skipper walked away with something arguably just as meaningful, a heartfelt tribute from the very man who set that benchmark over 50 years ago. Following the completion of a high-stakes Day 3 of the Oval Test, the post-match moments were filled with warmth. Sunil Gavaskar presented Gill with a signed cap and shirt, a symbolic gesture acknowledging the youngster's remarkable form throughout the series.
Gill concluded the five-match India vs England Test series with 754 runs across 10 innings. Failing to get going at the Oval, Gill fell just 21 runs short of Gavaskar’s long-standing record for the most runs scored by an Indian in a single Test series. Despite narrowly missing out, his consistency with the captain's bat was instrumental in keeping India competitive across the series. Gavaskar, part of the commentary panel for the series, approached Shubman Gill after play and gifted him personally signed souvenir, a rare and touching act from one of the game's all-time greats.
“This is a little cap, which I give to very few people with my signature,” Gavaskar told Gill.
Moreover, Gavaskar shared that he intended to don his ‘lucky jacket’ the following day when India would claim the win in the final India vs England Test. The veteran revealed that he wore the same jacket during India’s iconic Gabba victory in 2021. The high-stakes Border Gavaskar Trophy match witnessed Shubman Gill playing a pivotal role with his 91-run knock in the historic run chase.
Gavaskar hails Gill's run as better than his own historic record
Shubman Gill arrived at the Oval with a real chance at toppling Gavaskar's long-standing batting record. However, a agonizing run-out in the first innings of the Oval Test at 21 hindered the historic pursuit. Furthermore, the skipper failed to get going in the second innings as well, the concluding knock of the England tour. The 21 followed by 11 in the final Test brought an end to Gill's charge at Gavaskar's record. His second-innings dismissal, off the first ball after lunch, closed the door on the milestone.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old etched his name into the record books in another significant way. His 754-run tally now stands as the highest by an Indian Test captain in a single series, overtaking Gavaskar’s 732 against the West Indies in the 1978-79 home season. The showdown in the India vs England series helped Gill shatter a record that had stood unchallenged for nearly half a century.
The young Indian captain enjoyed a stellar run with the bat in England. He kicked off the campaign in style with a century at Headingley. Gill, then followed it up with back-to-back tons in both innings of the Edgbaston Test, headlining India’s emphatic 336-run win. Although the Lord’s Test proved to be a rare low point for the Indian skipper, he bounced back with resilience. Arriving in Manchester, Shubman Gill hammered another century in the second innings of the fourth Test, continuing to anchor India’s batting across the series.
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar hailed Gill for his splendid run in the series, which will make for one of the most cherished cricket highlights for Indian fans. Weighing in on Shubman Gill’s recent heroics, Gavaskar stated that the young captain’s feat surpasses his own. According to the legend, Gill’s 754 runs were all the more impressive given the added burden of leading the side. Gavaskar highlighted that his heroics came as a player while Gill dominated the run charts as the leader of the side.
“Well, yes, in anticipation of him going past my record, I had gotten something for him. This is all in God's hands. But 754 runs, it's fantastic. The difference is that 754 runs have come with him having the additional responsibility of being the captain,” said Gavaskar.
“Mine, I was the baby of the team, it wouldn't have mattered. If I failed, nobody would have given a hoot. As the captain, to score 754 runs. More than 750 runs, where he is making the difference to his side's fortunes. Don't go by those 20 runs, just see what those 754 runs have done for Indian cricket,” he added.
