New Delhi: In what is being hailed as a transformative series for Indian cricket, ICC Chairman Jay Shah showered praise on India’s young Test captain Shubman Gill, applauding both his record-breaking performance with the bat and his composed leadership that guided the team to a hard-fought 2-2 series draw against England.
This was Gill’s first Test series as captain, and he not only met expectations but exceeded them — finishing as the highest run-scorer of the five-match series with an astonishing 754 runs, including four centuries and a double ton.
In the absence of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — both of whom retired from Test cricket before the series — Gill had the challenging task of steering a relatively inexperienced side. Injuries also compounded India’s troubles, with Mohammed Shami missing the entire series and Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for several matches. These setbacks forced frequent changes in the bowling combination.
Yet, against all odds, India clinched a thrilling six-run victory in the final Test, pulling level in the series on the final day. The dramatic win capped off a rollercoaster campaign marked by resilience, grit, and growing maturity from the young Indian team under Gill’s leadership.
Taking to social media, Jay Shah acknowledged the significance of the moment.
“A special word for @ShubmanGill — record-breaking runs and composed captaincy under pressure. A coming-of-age moment,” Shah tweeted on Monday evening.
Shah also praised KL Rahul for his twin hundreds and lauded Ravindra Jadeja for reaching the 500-run milestone in the series, calling it a testament to his all-round brilliance.
Shubman Gill, who was under immense scrutiny coming into the series — especially for his previous struggles in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries — responded with humility and insight.
“Each hundred that I scored had a very different significance,” Gill said in a post-match interaction. “The one in Leeds was particularly special. It was my first match of the series, and I was under pressure — not having performed as I wanted to in this format. That century helped lift a huge weight off my shoulders.”
Gill’s 754-run haul not only silenced critics but also marked one of the finest captaincy debuts in Indian Test history. His tactical acumen, cool-headed decision-making, and ability to inspire his team amid adversity earned widespread admiration.
The 25-year-old’s “coming of age” as a leader could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket, especially as the team transitions from the Rohit-Virat era. With promising talent like KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sarfaraz Khan emerging, and seasoned names like Jadeja continuing to deliver, India looks poised for an exciting future under Gill’s stewardship.
As the dust settles on a gripping series, Indian cricket fans will remember this campaign not just for the fightback, but for the rise of Shubman Gill — the captain, the run-machine, and the new face of India’s Test journey.
