Gill Breaks Tendulkar’s Record in 2nd Test
On day two of the second test, Captain Shubman Gill surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs scored outside of the Indian subcontinent with 269.
After captain Shubman Gill scored a record-breaking 269 and their seamers struck early to put the tourists in a commanding position at Edgbaston, England faltered to 77-3 to lead India by 510 runs on day two of their second Test.
On Thursday, India gained momentum after Akash Deep took two wickets in two balls. Mohammed Siraj then joined in, destroying England’s top order and leaving them reeling at 25-3 on a track that had been conducive for batting.
The following delivery was a duck for Ollie Pope as Deep pulled an edge, and the ball soared to KL Rahul in the slips after Ben Duckett nicked a shot to third slip, where Gill made a wonderful diving catch.
India had lost the first Test at Headingley due to missed catches, but this time they held firm when Siraj got an edge from Zak Crawley to find Karun Nair at first slip.
Gill told the broadcaster Sky Sports, “Fielding was one of those things we spoke about as a team, and it’s great to see that come off so far.”
“The key to this game was confidence. We discussed how we would win the game if we reached 400 once more, whether we batted first or second.
The umpire’s call saved Harry Brook (30) from being reviewed for LBW, but he and Joe Root (18) took the pressure and ended the day with an undefeated 52-run partnership.
Breaking Gill’s record
Before this, Gill broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 241 and became the first Indian to score more than 250 outside of the Indian subcontinent. He also surpassed Virat Kohli’s 254 to become the greatest total by an Indian captain.
After tea, Gill, who had barely made a mistake in the first two days of the test, lost focus for a while as he attempted to hit Josh Tongue’s short ball but was caught at square leg by Pope.
After India was humiliated at 211-5 on the first day, the Edgbaston crowd stood up to applaud the captain’s knock as he made his way back to the pavilion.
Gill, who has made 424 runs in the series, stated, “I worked on a few things before the series that I thought might be important for me going into Test cricket.”
“Based on the outcomes, they are effective for me.”
After starting the day with a score of 310-5, Jadeja and Gill put together a 203-run partnership before the all-rounder was hit by a Tongue bouncer. However, Gill appeared comfortable on a flat surface that provided very little support.
Gill showed off his variety of graceful drives and well-timed flicks to pile up the runs while England’s bowlers labored in the summer heat. He barely broke a sweat and claimed his wicket.
Shubman, bow.
Gill eclipsed Sunil Gavaskar’s 46-year-old record for the best score by an Indian in England (221 in 1979) shortly after becoming the first captain of India to reach a double-hundred in England. Gill then made his signature bow once more.
As he sent the ball to every area of the field, he was quickly experimenting with the attack and fielder positioning, coolly alternating between sublime and unconventional strokes.
Gill was in Twenty20 gear as they easily passed the 500-mark, and a rare outside edge went for a boundary to take the captain to 250. Washington Sundar was playing quietly at the other end.
When a delivery got past Sundar’s defense as he left for a solid 42, Root ultimately ended the seventh-wicket stand of 144.
Following Gill’s removal, India’s tail only contributed 13 runs, but their bowlers had 20 overs to try to hit England’s hitters on a productive day as they attempted to tie the series.
