Gill Falls 20 Runs Short of Gavaskar’s 54-Year Test Series Record
India captain Shubman Gill narrowly missed breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s 54-year-old record for most runs in a single Test series. Gill finished with 754 runs in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, falling 20 runs short of Gavaskar’s 774-run haul set in 1971 against the West Indies.
Gill’s final innings ended with a score of 11 off 9 balls, dismissed by Gus Atkinson at The Oval in London. Despite missing the record, the 25-year-old had a historic debut Test series as captain.
Sunil Gavaskar, who was present at the venue, honoured Gill’s performance in a special post-match gesture.
“Well, yes, in anticipation of him going past my record, I had gotten something for him. This is all in God’s hands. But 754 runs, it’s fantastic. The difference is that 754 runs have come with him having the additional responsibility of being the captain,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network.
“Mine, I was the baby of the team, it wouldn’t have mattered. If I failed, nobody would have given a hoot. As the captain, to score 754 runs. More than 750 runs, where he is making the difference to his side’s fortunes. Don’t go by those 20 runs, just see what those 754 runs have done for Indian cricket.”
The cricket legend also presented Gill with a signed cap and shirt, celebrating his exceptional contribution with the bat.
Shubman Gill’s Batting Heroics in England Test Series
Gill began the five-match series with a brilliant century at Headingley. He then scored twin centuries at Edgbaston, helping India thrash England by 336 runs.
Though the Lord’s Test saw him fail with the bat, Gill bounced back with a second-innings century at Manchester.
His run tally made him the highest scorer of the series and one of the most consistent captains in recent Indian Test history.
India in Command After Day 3 of Fifth Test
India ended Day 3 in control, needing just 8 more wickets to secure a series-clinching win. England, without Chris Woakes, is struggling and requires 324 more runs.
At stumps, England were 50/1, with Zak Crawley dismissed on the final ball of the day.
Shubman Gill’s 754-run feat may not have broken Gavaskar’s iconic record, but it stamped his authority as a future legend and leader of Indian Test cricket.
