Gill Smashes Historic Double Century in England
Team India’s young captain Shubman Gill delivered a stunning performance in the ongoing Edgbaston Test, scoring a career-best 269 runs in the first innings. With this knock, he became the Indian cricketer with the highest individual Test score on English soil. The double century comes on the back of a century in the first Test at Leeds — a match that India eventually lost.
This time, however, Gill ensured no slip-ups, anchoring the innings with maturity and calculated aggression. His commanding performance has put India in firm control of the game.
Changes in Approach Pay Off
Speaking after his innings, Gill reflected on the tactical changes he made following the defeat at Leeds. “I’ve worked on a couple of things towards the end of the IPL and before returning to the Test format. It seems to have worked quite well,” he said.
He noted that the lessons from the previous Test loss influenced his strategy this time. “I didn’t want to repeat the mistakes from the last game. We didn’t get much support from the lower order then. So I made a conscious decision to avoid risky shots and focus on staying at the crease.”
Fielding Focus and Mental Shift
Gill also spoke about improvements in fielding and team discipline. “I haven’t had too many chances in the slips recently, but I stayed focused. Getting those catches felt good,” he said.
The Indian skipper emphasized the need for a complete performance. “We had discussed as a team that if we had done even half as well in the last match as we did today, the result would’ve been different. That conversation was in our minds.”
Lower Order Steps Up with Sundar and Jadeja
India’s lower order, which faltered in Leeds, stood tall in Edgbaston. Washington Sundar provided valuable support to Gill with a composed 42, while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja delivered a commanding 89-run innings.
Their contributions ensured that India posted a mammoth total of 587 runs in the first innings, placing the visitors in a dominant position in the match.
India Takes Control of Edgbaston Test
With Gill’s record-breaking knock and solid lower-order performances, India now holds the upper hand in the Edgbaston Test. The team’s collective response to the previous loss — both tactically and mentally — has been evident in their disciplined and focused gameplay.
As the Test progresses, India will look to build on this strong foundation, with Gill’s leadership and form providing a significant boost to the side’s morale and momentum.