Historic Twin Centuries
Shubman Gill delivered a breath-taking double performance at Edgbaston in the second Test against England. He scored a commanding 269 in the first innings and followed it up with a brilliant 161 in the second. His aggregate of 430 runs makes him only the fifth player in Test history to score over 400 in a single match, joining legends like Graham Gooch and Brian Lara. Remarkably, Gill is only the second batter ever to hit both a double century and a 150 in the same Test, following Allan Border’s feat in 1980.
Smashing Indian Records
Gill’s 269 not only surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s Indian record of 344 runs in a single Test but also became the highest Test score by an Indian captain overseas. His scintillating form resulted in India amassing over 1,000 runs in the Test, totalling 1,011 at Edgbaston, a ground where India had never previously crossed that milestone.
ICC Ranking Surge
The ICC responded to Gill’s extraordinary performance by elevating him from 23rd to a career-high No. 6 in the Test batting rankings, with 807 rating points. This leap came after his twin centuries at Birmingham powered India to a dominant innings win by 336 runs, levelling the five-match series 1–1. Gill’s rise shattered his previous best of No. 14, reached in September 2024.
Brook Ousts Root from No. 1
While Gill was ascending, England’s Harry Brook reclaimed the top spot in the Test batting rankings. Brook’s 158 in the first innings earned him 886 points, dethroning former captain Joe Root, who slipped to No. 2, 18 points behind. Root’s long reign came to an end after a six-month stint at the summit.
Gill’s Leadership and Composure
This was Gill’s first Test win as captain, and what a statement it was. Thrust into the leadership role following the retirements of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and with first-choice pacer Jasprit Bumrah rested, Gill stood resolute. Critics questioned his overseas pedigree, but Gill’s 269 and 161 silenced doubts, showcasing both elegance and aggression in conditions that typically challenge subcontinental batsmen.
Breaking the ‘Birmingham Jinx’
India had never won a Test at Edgbaston, let alone posted over 1,000 runs here. Gill’s dominance spearheaded a comprehensive 336-run victory, India’s first-ever win at the venue. His composed captaincy and clinical execution helped erase memories of the crushing defeat at Leeds.
Voices from the Cricketing World
Former England pacer Stuart Broad praised Gill’s flawless display, noting no obvious weakness in his technique. Back home, Virat Kohli lauded the young captain on social media, dubbing him “Star Boy” and hailing his “rewriting history” efforts. Jonathan Trott compared Gill’s flair to that of Kohli, further underlining the growing consensus around his rightful place among modern greats.
What’s Next: The Lord’s Test Preview
With the series now level, all attention turns to Lord’s, where Gill has a chance to build on his leadership legacy. He’s just 17 runs shy of breaking Rahul Dravid’s record for most runs by an Indian in a series in England (602), currently trailing at 585 runs. The Test will also mark the return of Bumrah, and England will look to Brook and Root for resurgence.
In Summary
Shubman Gill’s Edgbaston brilliance has propelled him into the Test elite, No. 6 in rankings, and cemented his credentials as a match‑winner and fearless leader. Meanwhile, Harry Brook’s steady rise to No. 1 and Joe Root’s slip reflect the shifting dynamics at the top of world Test batting. As the series heads to Lord’s, all eyes will be on Gill and Brook, poised to define the next chapter of this thrilling India–England showdown.
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