ENG vs IND, Shubman Gill : Shubman Gill scored a century on his captaincy debut against England
India kicked off its World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 campaign on June 20 with a promising start against England. Under the fresh leadership of captain Shubman Gill, Team India displayed commendable performance, and Gill himself stood out with a brilliant century, marking a historic beginning to the series. On the first day of the Test match at Leeds, Shubman Gill registered his sixth Test century, showcasing impeccable form and composure at the crease. This knock was not only a personal milestone but also significant in terms of Indian cricket history.
A Century with Records
Gill's century in Leeds is his first Test hundred outside Asia and second overseas overall. At just 25 years old, he has now become the youngest Indian captain to score a century on the first day of his captaincy debut in Test cricket — breaking the previous record held by Virat Kohli, who achieved a similar feat at age 26. In doing so, Gill also joined an elite group of young Indian cricketers who have scored centuries abroad. Only Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev precede him on that list, making him the third youngest Indian to do so.
Chasing History After 17 Years
India last won a Test series against England in 2007, under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid. Since then, the series has eluded the Men in Blue. With both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now retired from Test cricket, the responsibility to lead India to victory lies heavily on the shoulders of young talents like Gill. His captaincy debut and strong batting performance have rekindled hopes of ending a 17-year drought and reclaiming the series title.
Road Ahead: A Steep Climb
The journey to the WTC final will not be easy. India must overcome formidable opponents like England and Australia to secure their spot in the final round. With veterans out of the picture, Team India must rely on a new generation of players, led by Gill, to steer the team forward. If India continues this momentum, they may be well on their way to reclaiming the WTC title — and ushering in a new era of leadership and dominance in Test cricket.