Shubman Gill Surpasses Gavaskar to Set New Benchmark in Test Series

Shubman Gill’s rise as India’s new Test captain has been nothing short of spectacular, and his bat has done most of the talking. In the ongoing five-match series against England, Gill has not only led with maturity but has also piled up runs at a rate that’s rewriting history. On the opening day of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, he etched his name alongside the greats, breaking a record that had stood untouched for nearly half a century.

Sunil Gavaskar’s tally of 732 runs in a single Test series as captain — scored against the West Indies back in 1978-79 — had been the benchmark for Indian captains for 47 long years. Gill went past that milestone in London on Thursday, needing just 11 runs to overtake the Little Master. He got there in emphatic fashion, cracking a boundary off Jamie Overton, a moment that summed up his commanding presence throughout this series. Gill has now reached 737 runs in the series, a haul that already includes four centuries. While Gavaskar’s record had come from nine innings across six Tests, Gill has managed to cross the mark in fewer games. 

What makes Gill’s achievement even more fascinating is the fact that he is now within touching distance of another Gavaskar record — one that has stood for 54 years. In his debut series in 1971, Gavaskar had scored 774 runs in just four Tests against the West Indies, a jaw-dropping effort featuring four hundreds and three half-centuries at an average of 154.80. Gill is now just 38 runs away from surpassing that legendary tally, a prospect that adds extra intrigue to the remainder of this Test. 

At The Oval, India found themselves under early pressure, losing two wickets before lunch. But Gill went about his business with authority. Partnering with his Gujarat Titans teammate Sai Sudharsan, he began building a steady partnership to steady the innings. By the break, Gill was unbeaten on 15 off 23 deliveries, with Sudharsan holding firm at 25 off 67 balls, guiding India to 72/2 at lunch. 

The narrative of this series has revolved heavily around Gill’s bat. From his stroke-filled centuries to the composure he has shown under pressure, the 24-year-old has looked every bit the leader India were hoping for after Rohit Sharma stepped aside. Breaking records once held by Sunil Gavaskar is not just a statistical achievement — it’s a statement that a new era of Indian batting has well and truly arrived. 

If Gill manages to cross the 774-run milestone at The Oval, it would mark the passing of the torch from one legend to another, a symbolic reminder of how Indian cricket continues to evolve with every generation. 

Also Read; India’s Toss Woes Continue as Gill’s Side Put in to Bat at The Oval