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Shubman Gill has been utterly dominant with the bat in the ongoing five-match Test series vs England. Having been appointed as the new Test skipper ahead of the series, he has led from the front. On Day 1 of the ongoing fifth and final Test in London, he once again justified BCCI’s decision to name him as Rohit Sharma’s successor, breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s 47-year-old record! (IND vs ENG, 5th Test, Day 1)
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With India two wickets down, Gill began to stitch together a partnership with GT teammate Sai Sudharsan. Gill only needed 11 runs to go past Gavaskar’s record of most runs (732) by an Indian captain in a Test series (1978-79 vs West Indies). Then, he did it in style, smacking Jamie Overton for a four to surpass the legendary Indian cricketer.
Receiving a back of length delivery, wider, Gill hung back in his crease, judging the length perfectly, and then hammered it for a four, through the covers, and got to 11 off 17 balls.
Gill remained unbeaten at 15* off 23 balls, taking India to 72/2 at Lunch. Meanwhile, Sudharsan also remained unbeaten at 25* off 67 deliveries.
Gill is also now only 38 runs short of breaking Gavaskar’s 54-year-old record for most runs by an Indian batter in a bilateral Test series. Gavaskar got 774 runs during his debut series in 1971 vs West Indies, a performance which saw him clatter four tons ad three fifties in only four Tests, at an average of 154.80.
Gill, who is leading India for the first time in his career, has already reached 737* runs in eight innings, at an average of 90.25, packed with four tons.
India trail 1-2 in the ongoing series, and a win in the final Test will see them end the series in a draw. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal (2) lost his wicket early on Day 1, getting dismissed by Gus Atkinson. Chris Woakes removed KL Rahul (14).
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