IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill Hits Ton on Captaincy Debut, Faces Possible ICC Action for Dress Code Breach

Shubman Gill had a dream start as Test captain, scoring a brilliant 147 in the first Test against England at Headingley. This was his sixth Test hundred and his first in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), a milestone Indian batters often aim for.

With this innings, Gill joined an elite list of Indian captains who scored centuries on their captaincy debut. The list includes names like Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli. It’s a special achievement, especially given the pressure of leading the side in English conditions.

India posted a strong 471 in their first innings. At Tea on Day 2, England were 107 for 1, with Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett at the crease. The match is evenly poised, but Gill’s knock has already given India a solid base.

However, the young skipper may find himself in trouble off the field. Gill is under scrutiny for breaching the ICC’s dress code. He wore black socks while batting, which goes against clause 19.45 of the ICC’s updated Clothing and Equipment Rules. The rule, updated in May 2023, states that socks must be white, cream, or light grey in color.

The matter is currently being reviewed by the match referee. If the breach is ruled as a deliberate Level 1 offence, Gill could face a fine ranging from 10 to 20 percent of his match fee. But if it’s seen as an honest mistake, he’s unlikely to be punished.

While it may seem like a small detail, ICC takes uniform standards seriously. Even something as minor as sock color falls under the game’s official regulations.