Key Points
- Shubman Gill became the first Indian Test captain to score a double century in England, reaching the milestone at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
- He is now the sixth Indian captain to hit a double hundred in Test cricket, joining legends like MAK Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli.
- Gill reached his double century with a single off his 311th ball, batting at number four in the first innings of the second Test against England.
- At 25, Gill continues to break records, cementing his place among India’s elite Test leaders.
- Virat Kohli holds the Indian record with seven double centuries as Test captain.
- Other Indian captains with double centuries: Pataudi (203* vs England, 1964), Gavaskar (205 vs West Indies, 1978), Tendulkar (217 vs New Zealand, 1999), Dhoni (224 vs Australia, 2013), and Kohli (seven double tons).
Birmingham: Shubman Gill etched his name into the record books on Thursday, July 3, 2025, by becoming the first Indian Test captain to score a double century on English soil. Gill’s monumental knock came during the first innings of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, where he reached the 200-run mark with a single off his 311th delivery.
A Historic Feat for Indian Cricket
The 25-year-old right-hander from Punjab is now the sixth Indian Test captain to achieve a double century, joining the elite company of:
- MAK Pataudi (203* vs England, Delhi, 1964)
- Sunil Gavaskar (205 vs West Indies, Mumbai, 1978)
- Sachin Tendulkar (217 vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad, 1999)
- MS Dhoni (224 vs Australia, Chennai, 2013)
- Virat Kohli (7 double centuries as captain)
Gill’s achievement is especially significant as he is only the second Indian captain to score a double hundred in England, following in the footsteps of these legendary names.
The Innings That Made History
Coming in at number four, Gill displayed remarkable composure and skill against a challenging English attack. His innings was a blend of patience, technique, and aggression, as he steadily built his way to the milestone. The double century came at a crucial juncture for India, setting a strong foundation in the high-stakes Edgbaston Test.
Revisiting Indian Captains’ Double Centuries
- MAK Pataudi was the trailblazer, scoring an unbeaten 203 against England in Delhi (1964).
- Sunil Gavaskar followed with a 205-run marathon against the West Indies at Wankhede (1978).
- Sachin Tendulkar notched up 217 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad (1999).
- MS Dhoni hammered 224 against Australia in Chennai (2013).
- Virat Kohli redefined consistency with seven double centuries as captain, the most by any Indian skipper.
Gill’s Place in the Pantheon
With this feat, Shubman Gill not only cements his status as one of India’s brightest young cricketing stars but also as a leader capable of delivering under pressure on foreign soil. His double century is a testament to his growing stature in world cricket and his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Shubman Gill’s historic double century at Edgbaston marks a new chapter in Indian Test cricket, inspiring the next generation and adding another glorious moment to the legacy of Indian cricket captains. As the series unfolds, all eyes will be on Gill to see how far he can take Team India on English soil.
