Birmingham, July 5 (UNI) Shubman Gill etched his name in the record books with a magnificent century in the second innings — after scoring a double-ton in the first — as India extended their dominance over England on the fourth day of the second Test at Edgbaston, finishing the tea session at 311/4 and leading by a massive 491 runs.
Gill’s 100* (129 balls, 9×4, 3×6), completed in the 67th over with a tucked single off Shoaib Bashir, made him part of an elite club of players to score a double-century and a hundred in the same Test.
The young Indian skipper, already being seen as the face of India’s Test future, raised his bat with a quiet nod and a smile, looking skywards in silent gratitude. His innings has been the epitome of composure and dominance, blending orthodox technique with calculated aggression.
India had resumed the day at 64/1, and despite losing Karun Nair (26) and KL Rahul (55) in the first session, they reached 177/3 at lunch with Rishabh Pant and Gill at the crease.
Rahul’s innings featured elegant boundaries before he was bowled by Josh Tongue. Pant, however, unleashed a signature counterattack, racing to 65 off 58 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes), before being dismissed in extraordinary fashion — skying a lofted shot as his bat flew out of his hands and landed far from the pitch, caught by Ben Duckett at long-off.
The post-lunch session saw fireworks as Pant and Gill raised a century partnership in just 92 balls. Gill, in particular, peppered the boundaries: slicing Bashir over mid-off, launching Tongue over deep square-leg for a six, and repeatedly punishing short-pitched deliveries — including a top-edged six with no fine leg in place.
After Pant’s dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja played a supporting role, reaching 34* by tea, adding a steady 50-run partnership with Gill. India’s run rate stayed around 4.75 per over, clearly hinting at a declaration on the horizon.
India’s innings milestones came in quick succession: 200 in 41.2 overs, 250 in 52.2 overs and 300 in 64.5 overs.
Gill’s control and shot selection stood out — a mix of late cuts, well-timed pulls, and measured lofts — showing he has indeed turned a new leaf in his red-ball career. His back-to-back knocks of 269 and 101* in the same Test signal not just class but consistency, reassuring India’s faith in his long-term leadership.
Earlier, India had posted 587 in their first innings and bowled England out for 407, gaining a 180-run lead. With four sessions to go and a large cushion in place, the Indian think-tank is expected to declare early in the final session or early on Day 5 to push for a series-levelling win.
England, meanwhile, were left ruing missed chances, including two reprieves to Pant, and have struggled to maintain pressure despite decent spells from Carse and Bashir.
With a pitch that still offers bounce and occasional turn, India’s bowlers are now in a commanding position to script a memorable win at Edgbaston.
