Shubman Gill’s 269: A Knock for the Ages?

July 4, 2025: Shubman Gill has etched his name in cricketing folklore with a historic double century on Day 2 of the Birmingham Test at Edgbaston. The young Indian Test captain played a sensational knock of 269 runs off 387 balls, setting multiple records and earning high praise from former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin.

“Gill batted brilliantly. He’s already a future star, one of the finest players. I wish him more success and hope he keeps making the country proud,” Azharuddin told after the innings.

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Gill’s marathon knock wasn’t just about runs—it was about rewriting history. He became the first Indian to score a 250+ Test score outside the subcontinent, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary 241* at Sydney in 2004. He also became the highest individual scorer by an Indian in England, going past Sunil Gavaskar’s 221 at The Oval in 1979.

Joining elite company, Gill is now one of just six Indians to score 250+ in a Test, rubbing shoulders with Sehwag, Laxman, Dravid, Karun Nair, and Kohli. He’s also the first Indian captain to score a double century in England, toppling Azharuddin’s 179 from 1990.

The 25-year-old added another feather to his cap by becoming the second-youngest Indian captain to score a Test double ton, only behind Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. He is also the first Asian captain to notch double hundreds in all four SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.

Gill’s dominance with the bat also saw him surpass Kohli’s 254* as the highest Test score by an Indian captain and become the third Indian captain to post 150+ before turning 26, after Pataudi and Tendulkar.

With this being just his third Test innings as captain, Gill matched Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the fastest double century as India’s Test skipper. This historic knock has firmly placed him among the modern greats and made a strong statement about his leadership and batting prowess.

From raw promise to a leader rewriting records, Shubman Gill’s Birmingham masterclass is a shining beacon of India’s cricketing future.