Shubman Gill’s reign as India’s Test skipper has started in dreamlike fashion. In just two matches, the 25-year-old has notched up two stunning centuries, proving his mettle not only as a batter but also as a leader under pressure.
Heading into the England series, there were plenty of question marks surrounding Gill’s form, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) conditions. Before the series opener, he had only one fifty in such regions and was battling a poor run of form. His elevation to Test captaincy sparked fierce debate — critics questioned his consistency and even his place in the playing XI.
But Gill has responded to those doubts in the best way possible — with the bat. In the first Test at Leeds, he scored a gritty 147 in the second innings, showcasing patience and elegance. Although India ended up losing the match by five wickets while defending 370, Gill’s century was a bright spark in a tough result.
A Masterclass in Birmingham: Shubman Gill’s 114* at Edgbaston
On July 2 (Wednesday), in the second Test at Edgbaston, Gill produced another masterclass. Walking in at 95/2 on a tricky pitch with the ball moving around, Gill stood tall and counter-attacked the English bowlers with a perfectly paced century.
His unbeaten 114* was laced with 13 boundaries, and more impressively, according to CricViz, Gill played just 4% false shots during his innings — the lowest for a centurion in England in the last 19 years. This stat alone underlines the quality and control in his knock.
With this century, Shubman Gill joined Virat Kohli as only the second Indian captain to score hundreds in each of his first two Tests as skipper. He also entered an elite list of Indian batters who have scored centuries at Edgbaston, joining names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Indian Captains and Their Century Feats Against England
Gill’s feat of scoring back-to-back centuries in his first two Tests as captain also places him among an exclusive group of Indian leaders who’ve done the same against England. He now shares this honor with legends like Vijay Hazare and Mohammed Azharuddin.
Indian Batters with Multiple Centuries in First Two Tests as Captain:
- Virat Kohli – 3 centuries
- Sunil Gavaskar – 2 centuries
- Vijay Hazare – 2 centuries
- Shubman Gill – 2 centuries*
Indian Batters with Test Centuries at Edgbaston:
- Sachin Tendulkar – 122 (1996)
- Virat Kohli – 149 (2018)
- Rishabh Pant – 146 (2022)
- Ravindra Jadeja – 104 (2022)
- Shubman Gill – 114* (2025)
India Captains with Back-to-Back Test Centuries vs England:
- Vijay Hazare – 164* (Delhi, 1951) & 155 (Mumbai, 1951)
- Mohammed Azharuddin – 121 (Lord’s, 1990) & 179 (Manchester, 1990)
- Shubman Gill – 147 (Leeds, 2025) & 114* (Birmingham, 2025)*
With two centuries in two Tests as skipper, Gill has not only shut down his critics but has also announced himself as the future of Indian cricket in the longest format. The “Prince of Indian Cricket” is now leading with authority and class — and this could just be the beginning.
