IND vs ENG: Captain Shubman Gill Joins Kohli, and Ganguly in Elite List After Leeds Century
Shubman Gill slammed a captaincy debut century in England, joining Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Azharuddin in the elite list.
On a historic Day 1 at Headingley, the young Indian skipper Shubman Gill rose to the occasion and smashed a stunning century against England. Batting at No. 4 in Virat Kohli’s absence, Gill took the responsibility head-on and guided Team India to a commanding position in the first Test.
Gill Marks His Arrival With Grit and Class
Appointed as India’s new red-ball captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Gill had big shoes to fill. And on a challenging pitch in Leeds, he delivered in style. After India lost Sai Sudharsan early, Gill walked in and steadied the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, forming a crucial partnership.
Gill showed patience, skill, and confidence scoring a brilliant 127* off just 140 deliveries. He played some delightful strokes all around the ground and looked completely in control against the English bowling attack.
Seventh Indian Captain to Score Test Century in England
With his century, Gill became the seventh Indian Test captain to register a hundred in England. This is a rare feat, placing him in elite company alongside legends like Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, and Mohammad Azharuddin.
Indian Captains With Test Century in England:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 179 | Manchester | 1990 |
| Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi | 148 | Leeds | 1967 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 128 | Leeds | 2002 |
| Azharuddin | 121 | Lord’s | 1990 |
| Virat Kohli | 149 | Birmingham | 2018 |
| Virat Kohli | 103 | Nottingham | 2018 |
| Shubman Gill | 127* | Leeds | 2025 |
Team India Start Strong in Headingley Test
India, led by Gill, started the series on a high. Batting first, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave the team a solid start with a 91-run opening stand. After Rahul’s dismissal, Jaiswal continued his fine form and scored a century of his own — his first in England.
Though debutant Sai Sudharsan fell for a duck, Gill and Jaiswal stitched a 126-run partnership to put India in control. Later, Rishabh Pant added a valuable half-century, helping India reach 359/3 at stumps on Day 1.
