Leeds, June 20 (UNI) Shubman Gill marked his first outing as India’s Test captain in spectacular fashion, slamming an unbeaten century on debut as skipper against England at Headingley on Friday.
Gill’s composed century came off 165 deliveries and placed him in an elite group of Indian cricketers who have notched hundreds in their maiden innings as Test captain — a distinguished list that includes Vijay Hazare (164 not out vs England, 1951), Sunil Gavaskar (116 vs New Zealand, 1976), Virat Kohli (115 vs Australia, 2014), and now Gill.
Facing Josh Tongue on 74.2, Gill reached his century with a crisp cover drive for four, sparking an emotional celebration. He flung his helmet in the air, roared with a “come on”, and hugged Rishabh Pant at the non-striker’s end before saluting the Indian contingent with arms wide open.
“This was one of his most fluent and assured innings,” remarked a former India international on air. Gill showed immense composure and control throughout, anchoring the Indian innings with elegance and intent, and looked every bit the leader at the crease.
His knock not only stabilised the Indian innings on Day 1 of the first Test of the series but also officially signalled the beginning of the “Shubman Gill era” in Indian Test cricket.
