Gill’s Masterclass in England: Childhood Technique Sparks Historic Double Century at Edgbaston

Shubman Gill, leading the Indian Test side, delivered a performance for the ages on Thursday by scoring a brilliant 269 off 387 balls against England at Edgbaston. With this, he not only became the first Indian and Asian captain to hit a double century in England but also etched his name into history by surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s 221—a record that stood tall since 1979.

Shubman Gill raises his bat after scoring 250+ in England

But Gill’s journey to this milestone wasn’t just about numbers. It was about rediscovery.

“I went back to the way I used to bat as a kid,” the 25-year-old said after stumps on Day 2. “Somewhere along the way, I became so focused on scoring that I stopped enjoying the process.”

A Mental Reset Before the Series

Gill admitted that toward the end of the IPL season, he sensed something was missing. Despite consistent scores in Tests, he felt a disconnect — particularly during the critical phase between 30 and 50 runs, where concentration often wavered.

“I worked a lot on my initial setup and movement after the IPL. I used to get to 35 or 40 and lose the rhythm. This time, I didn’t focus on the score. I just batted with joy, like in my childhood,” he said.

A Record-Breaking Knock

The innings, which took India’s first-innings total to 587, is now the highest score by an Indian captain in Tests, surpassing Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 254 against South Africa in 2019.

Even with a soft ball and slow outfield, Gill stuck to his plan. “I spoke to [Gautam] Gambhir bhai at tea on Day 1. I told him I wasn’t getting runs easily. But I knew if I was set, I had to stay long. This pitch could cause sudden collapses in the lower order. That’s what I learned from the last match.”

Red Ball Prep During IPL

Unlike most players who focus exclusively on T20 mode during the IPL, Gill was seen practicing red-ball drills during downtime with Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

“I knew switching formats was tough, especially from T20 to Test cricket. That’s why I began early. The rhythm, mindset, and technique are very different. I had to recondition both my body and mind.”

Bowling Plans and Day 3 Focus

India’s bowlers also delivered late on Day 2, reducing England to 77/3, giving India a firm grip on the match. Gill praised the bowlers for sticking to their plans and emphasized the importance of frustrating the opposition batters.

“Once the ball gets old, wickets don’t come easy. So our focus will be on maintaining discipline, limiting scoring zones, and forcing errors.”