Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill began his Test captaincy journey in remarkable fashion, finishing as the leading run-scorer in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England. In what was his first assignment as skipper, Shubman Gill showed impressive consistency, by scoring 754 runs with four centuries in five matches. His performances not only helped India clinch the series but also earned him the player-of-the-series award.

The highlight of Gill’s campaign came during the second Test at Edgbaston, where he scored 269 and 161 across two innings. His combined 430 runs in that match set a new record for the most runs by an Indian in a single Test, surpassing previous marks set by legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli. India won the match by 336 runs, and Gill’s contribution was central to that victory.

Gill’s 269 in Birmingham also broke multiple records. It became the highest individual score by an Indian captain in an away Test, going past Kohli’s 200 against the West Indies. It also overtook Kohli’s 254 not out as the highest score by an Indian Test captain overall. In England, no Indian had ever scored more in a single innings-Gill went past Gavaskar’s 221 at The Oval in 1979.

With 754 runs in the series, Gill went on to break Gavaskar’s record (732) for the most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series. He fell just 21 runs short of Gavaskar’s overall record (774) for the most runs by an Indian in any Test series. Among captains worldwide, only Don Bradman has scored more in a series-810 runs during the 1936-37 Ashes.

Shubman Gill also became just the fifth Indian to score a century on his Test captaincy debut, achieving the feat during the first Test at Headingley.

Shubman Gill, also played a key role in India's undefeated campaign during the 2025 Champions Trophy. Stepping up as a reliable opening batter, Shubman Gill displayed his composure and class throughout the tournament, reinforcing his reputation as a solid batter in India’s lineup.

In the high-stakes final against New Zealand, Gill partnered with captain Rohit Sharma to build a solid 105-run opening stand that set the foundation for India’s successful chase of 252 runs. While Rohit took the attacking route, Gill anchored the innings with a patient 31 off 50 balls, before being dismissed by a brilliant one-handed catch from Glenn Phillips. Their partnership proved crucial in guiding India to a memorable four-wicket win in front of a packed Dubai stadium.

Across the tournament, Gill amassed 188 runs in five matches at an impressive average of 47.00, highlighted by an unbeaten century. His consistency, leadership and poise under pressure during India's campaign in the Champions Trophy, reinforced his growing stature in international cricket.

Shubman Gill's recent performances in Test cricket have been mixed ones in the last few series where he had failed to make an impression at the crucial No. 3 position. In the three-match home series against New Zealand, his noteworthy knock in the third Test in Mumbai where he scored 90 runs in the second innings.

Shubman Gill's form in the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia has been less consistent. He missed the first Test in Perth because of injury concerns. In the second Test in Adelaide, he was dismissed for scores of 31 and 28. In the third Test in Brisbane which ended in a draw, Shubman Gill scored one run in the first innings and didn't bat in the second innings.

For the fourth Test in Melbourne, India left out Shubman Gill from the playing XI. His batting skills in Test cricket indicate areas where he can enhance his consistency and adaptability in challenging overseas conditions.

During the Test series against Bangladesh in September 2024, Shubman Gill demonstrated resilience and skill after a disappointing start. Dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the Chennai Test, he bounced back with an outstanding second-innings century, scoring 119 not out to help India secure a commanding 280-run victory. His partnership with Rishabh Pant, who also scored a century, was instrumental in putting India in a strong position.

Shubman Gill was in the reserves for the 2024 T20 World Cup and subsequently led a young Indian side in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, which India won 4-1. Following his leadership stint, he was appointed as the vice-captain for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.

Next big thing

One of India's fastest rising batters, Shubman Gill is considered the next big thing in Indian cricket. After making his debut in 2019 and being in and out of the team until 2022, it was in 2023 that Gill really upped his game with a path-breaking year. He was the leading run-getter in the world across formats having amassed 2148 runs across 48 games – Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined and won the Orange Cap with Gujarat Titans in the IPL, an achievement that elevated him to captaincy for the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League.

A top-order batter hailing from Punjab, Shubman Gill's cricketing journey began on his family farm. Recognising his talent, his father relocated them to Mohali, enabling Shubman Gill to join the Punjab Cricket Association. Starting at the Under-16 level, he soon progressed to represent Punjab in List A and Ranji Trophy tournaments.

First-class debut

His impressive performances, including a century on his first-class debut, earned him a call-up to India's U-19 team. Gill truly burst onto the scene at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, leading the charge with a stellar 372 runs at an average of 124, instrumental in India's victory. This, coupled with his consistent domestic performances, paved the way for his first Indian Premier League contract with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018. After several impactful seasons, Shubman Gill moved to Titans in the 2022 mega auction.

In 2019, Shubman Gill's international journey began with his ODI debut against New Zealand. He received his Test cap in December 2020 against Australia, showcasing his mettle with a brilliant 91 at the Gabba, contributing significantly to India's historic Test series win in Australia.