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IIE DIGITAL DESK : The Edgbaston on in the second Test against England, India’s young captain Shubman Gill delivered an extraordinary innings of 269 runs, guiding India to a commanding 587 in their first innings. This dominant performance not only ended with a staggering 510-run lead but also solidified Gill’s position as the undisputed leader of the batting lineup .

Gill’s innings spanned over 8½ hours and included 30 fours and three sixes, displaying a flawless blend of concentration and artistry on a flat and unresponsive pitch.He surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s long-standing 1979 record of 221, becoming the highest-scoring Indian batter in England .

India was in trouble at 211 for 5, but Gill engineered a astonishing turnaround. He put together a 203-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja (89), followed by a 144-run partnership with Washington Sundar, turning a precarious position into a solid foundation .This dramatic recovery—adding 376 runs for the last five wickets—marked India's greatest comeback after the fall of the fifth wicket in English Test history .

Supporting this batting onslaught, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj provided incisive second-innings bowling: Deep removed two top-order England batsmen, reducing them to 25 for 3, while Siraj secured another wicket. Still, England managed to reach 77 for 3 by stumps .

England’s innings unfolded poorly: openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett both departed cheaply, joined in departure by Ollie Pope, leaving the hosts under serious pressure . Their response, although initiated by small recoveries from Harry Brook and Joe Root, still trailed massively behind India’s total.

England assistant coach Jeetan Patel credited Gill's batting as nothing less than a “masterclass,” noting the psychological and physical cost on the bowlers, who had to toil through 151 overs to take India’s wickets . Patel nevertheless maintained that England remained confident about their ability to stage a comeback in the remaining three days .

Gill’s performance carries profound significance. At just 25 years old, he's emerged as the third Indian captain to score a Test double century overseas—following the likes of Kohli, Tendulkar, Gavaskar, and Dhoni. Moreover, he became the first Asian captain to reach this landmark in England and among SENA nations.

Gill’s innings also echoed cricketing history. Comparisons have been drawn to South Africa’s Graeme Smith, who similarly burst onto the scene with a double century in England in 2003; Gill's performance has revived this historic parallel .

India’s batting recovery came at the cost of exhaustive efforts by England’s bowlers, especially spinners. Shoaib Bashir ended with figures of 3 for 167 in a marathon 45-over spell . England’s seamers, including Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes, picked up a few wickets but failed to contain the flow of runs.

Shubman Gill’s epic innings reshaped the Test. His 269 anchored India’s massive total, lifted his team from precarious collapse to dominance, and established his credentials as a captain of rare poise and talent. With England reeling at 77 for 3 and a lead of over 500 runs, Gill's unbeaten leadership now sets the tone for a decisive battle as the Test progresses.