Shubman Gill Just Did Something No Asian Captain Has Ever Done in England—And It Was Epic
Let me tell you something—cricket history was made yesterday, and it wasn’t by some seasoned veteran. Nope. Shubman Gill, that 24-year-old kid with the baby face, just smashed a double century at Lord’s. And get this—he’s the first Asian captain ever to do it on English soil. Seriously. The way he batted? Pure class mixed with that quiet confidence of his. This isn’t just another century; it’s the kind of innings that changes how people see you. And right now, the whole cricket world’s looking at Gill differently.
Breaking Down That Unreal Knock
Okay, But First—The Match Situation
India was down after losing the first Test by a whisker. Rohit Sharma’s injured, so Gill’s handed the captaincy—big shoes to fill. Most guys his age would crumble under that pressure. But Gill? He walked out there like he owned the place. And then proceeded to prove it.
How He Played? Absolute Masterclass
204 not out. Let that sink in. Twenty-three fours, three sixes—but numbers don’t tell the whole story. The way he played Anderson? Chef’s kiss. Footwork so precise you’d think he had the pitch mapped in his head. And when Root came on with his spin? Gill treated him like a net bowler. Here’s the kicker—he went past Virat’s 149 in 2018. As captain. At 24. Mind-blowing.
Why This Is Huge
No Asian captain—not Kohli, not Dravid, nobody—had ever scored a double ton in England before. Only seven Asian batters total have done it. Now Gill’s name’s alongside Dravid’s 217 at The Oval. Let me put it this way—kids in 20 years will be watching highlights of this innings.
How One Innings Changed Everything
For India? Total Game-Changer
India declared at 485/6, and you could see the energy shift. That 170-run partnership with Jaiswal? Broke England’s back. The dressing room was apparently buzzing—guys saying Gill was so calm you’d think he was playing a Sunday league match.
England Had No Answers
Mark Wood, usually our nightmare, went for 112 runs. Stokes said it best: “We tried everything. Gill was just better today.” Nasser Hussain called it “a masterclass against the Dukes ball.” And when Nasser’s impressed, you know it’s special.
The Cricket World Is Losing Its Mind
Twitter Went Bonkers
#GillFire was trending worldwide. Sachin tweeted—and Sachin doesn’t tweet about just anyone—calling it “a special innings from a special player.” Michael Vaughan, who’s usually all about England, admitted: “We’ve found the next big thing.”
What the Experts Are Saying
ESPNcricinfo pointed out his “ice-cool temperament,” comparing some shots to young Ricky Ponting. Dravid—the man who knows a thing or two about batting—said Gill’s one of those rare players who gets better under pressure. High praise.
From Punjab to Captaincy—Gill’s Wild Ride
His Rise? Straight Out of a Movie
U19 World Cup hero in 2018. IPL superstar last year. That debut Test century in Australia was just a teaser. But captaincy? That’s unlocked something else in him. Like he’s playing 3D chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
Leader Material, No Question
Teammates talk about his sharp cricket brain—like that declaration timing to use the cloud cover. At 24, most guys are trying to cement their place. Gill? He’s being groomed as India’s next full-time captain. And after this? That conversation just got louder.
Putting It in Perspective
Other Great Asian Knocks in England
Sachin’s 193 at Headingley, Azhar’s 179 at Manchester—legendary stuff. But as captain? Gill just set the new gold standard.
Big Scores Are Back in Fashion
Remember Markram’s 211 earlier this year? Seems like the young guns are making Test cricket exciting again. And Gill’s leading the charge.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just runs on a board. This was Shubman Gill announcing—not asking, announcing—that he belongs with the greats. As we move to Old Trafford, one thing’s clear: cricket’s got its newest superstar. And the scary part? He’s just getting started. What do you think—is this the beginning of the Gill era? Hit the comments!
Source: Navbharat Times – Default
