NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill’s captaincy journey in Test cricket has gotten off to a dream start, with the young Indian skipper notching up his second century as captain and seventh overall in the format. On Day 1 of the second Test at Edgbaston, Gill displayed composure, class, and command — all hallmarks of a leader settling into his role with confidence and style.This century follows his ton in the opening Test at Headingley, making it back-to-back hundreds in his first two matches as captain — a remarkable feat for someone taking over the reins from a seasoned leader like Rohit Sharma, who retired ahead of the England series. This tour marks Gill’s first assignment as Test captain, and he’s already making headlines not just with his decisions, but with the bat in hand.Gill’s celebration reflected the emotion of the moment. After reaching the three-figure mark, he let out a roar, raised his helmet high in the air, took a bow towards the crowd, and kissed his bat — a sequence that captured the pride, relief, and joy of the achievement.
Coming in at No. 4, Gill anchored the innings after early setbacks and ensured India stayed competitive in a crucial Test they must win to level the series. India had lost the Headingley Test by five wickets and are trailing the five-match series 0-1. Gill has entered a rare league of Indian batters with centuries in three consecutive Tests against England. The young captain now finds himself alongside the likes of Mohammad Azharuddin (1984–85), Dilip Vengsarkar (1985–86), and Rahul Dravid — who achieved the feat twice, in 2002 and again between 2008–2011. Gill’s run of centuries across the 2024–25 England series places him firmly among the most consistent performers in this storied rivalry.What makes it even more special is that Gill is now only the third India captain to score centuries in back-to-back Tests against England, after Vijay Hazare — who did it in Delhi and Brabourne in 1951–52, and Azharuddin, who struck hundreds at Lord’s and Old Trafford in 1990.Hundreds in three consecutive Tests for IND vs ENG
- Mohammad Azharuddin (1984-1985)
- Dilip Vengsarkar (1985-1986)
- Rahul Dravid (2002)
- Rahul Dravid (2008-2011)
- Shubman Gill (2024-2025)
- Gill is the third India captain with hundreds in consecutive Tests against England, after Vijay Hazare (Delhi and Brabourne in 1951-52) and Mohammad Azharuddin (Lord’s and Old Trafford in 1990).
Gill has joined an elite list of Indian cricketers to have scored centuries in each of their first two Tests as captain. The list includes some of the biggest names in Indian cricket history — Virat Kohli, who scored hundreds in each of his first three Tests as captain, Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and now Gill.Hundreds in firsttwo Tests as India captain
- Virat Kohli (3)
- Vijay Hazare
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Shubman Gill
