Cricket has all the time seen captains lead from the entrance—not simply with choices, however with the bat in hand, blazing trails for his or her groups. For India, producing batting legends who additionally captained with flourish is an enduring custom. Scoring closely in a single Check sequence, whereas bearing the burden of captaincy, is the mark of uncommon cricketing genius. In 2025, Shubman Gill etched his title in historical past by breaking a long-standing report towards England.
Shubman Gill’s majestic efficiency on show towards England
India’s 2025 England tour will likely be remembered because the sequence when Gill reworked from a prodigious expertise into an unstoppable pressure of nature. Taking cost as captain, Gill’s method mixed composure, intent, and artistry not often witnessed on the highest stage. From the opening Check, Gill stamped his authority, pivoting India from precarious positions, establishing match-winning totals, and grinding England’s bowling into submission.
Gill has been in sensational kind, establishing himself because the main run-scorer within the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with a exceptional 737 runs in 9 innings, together with 4 centuries. The younger captain’s sequence started with an excellent 147 within the first Check at Headingley, adopted by a monumental 269 and 161 within the second Check at Edgbaston, showcasing his dominance.
Whereas he had a quiet outing with 170 within the third Check at Lord’s, he bounced again with a vital 103 within the second innings of the fourth Check at Outdated Trafford to assist India safe a draw. His run-scoring spree continued into the primary innings of the fifth Check at The Oval, the place he has already scored 15 not out, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar‘s long-standing report for probably the most runs by an Indian captain in a single Check sequence. With an unimaginable common of 90.25, Gill is simply 38 runs shy of eclipsing Gavaskar’s report for probably the most runs by any Indian batter in a bilateral Check sequence, a testomony to his prolific run and captaincy debut.
Additionally READ: Prime 5 closest Check defeats for India by margin of runs
Prime 5 Indian captains with most runs in a Check sequence
Right here’s a have a look at his exceptional feat and the way it stands alongside different legendary Indian captaincy performances:
- Shubman Gill – 733* runs vs England (2025)
Gill’s historic tally in 2025 stands on the summit, he broke a report that had stood for almost 5 a long time. Past numbers, his management and the boldness he infused in a younger Indian facet noticed the group conquer difficult English circumstances. Gill’s innings, for sheer weight of runs and their decisive impression—pushed him into the pantheon of nice Indian cricketing leaders.
2. Sunil Gavaskar – 732 runs vs West Indies (1978/79)
Earlier than Gill’s run-glut, the revered Sunil Gavaskar’s 732 towards a fierce West Indies assault was India’s gold normal. Taking part in towards an array of dominant tempo bowlers, Gavaskar’s resilience and technical brilliance got here to the fore. In an period missing trendy protecting gear, Gavaskar’s monumental sequence—marked by three centuries—was a testomony to talent and braveness.
3. Virat Kohli – 655 runs vs England (2016/17)
Virat Kohli’s 2016/17 residence sequence towards England was a masterclass in Check batting. Kohli, already revered for his depth and starvation, displayed unrelenting consistency and aptitude. His 655 runs included pivotal knocks that tilted the sequence India’s manner, notably a panoramic 235-run blitz in Mumbai. Kohli’s penchant for enormous innings supplied the bedrock for India’s dominance and showcased his potential to steer by instance.
4. Virat Kohli – 610 runs vs Sri Lanka (2017/18)
Kohli options repeatedly amongst India’s most prolific captain-batters, underscoring his position in India’s Check resurgence. Within the 2017/18 sequence towards Sri Lanka, his 610 runs got here with trademark aggression and managed flamboyance. Twin double-hundreds fueled his tally, as he systematically dismantled bowling assaults and marshaled his troops with distinction all through the rubber.
5. Virat Kohli – 593 runs vs England (2018)
Rounding out the highest 5 is one more Kohli masterclass, 593 sterling runs in England, 2018. In seam-friendly circumstances historically robust for Indian batters, Kohli’s technical evolution was on full show. He stood nearly alone, countering masterful bowlers in swinging circumstances, and raised his sport to satisfy the second, serving to Indian pleasure stay intact regardless of the group’s total struggles.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND: Prime 5 highest particular person scores in Check by Indian batters at Outdated Trafford, Manchester
