Shubman Gill: The Young Star Who Shone Bright Against England

Shubman Gill has become one of the most exciting names in world cricket today. His calm style, steady focus, and natural class remind many fans of great players of the past.

In India, where cricket is loved like no other sport, seeing someone like Shubman Gill rise to the top brings hope and pride to millions of people.

One of the most significant moments of his career so far was when he scored a brilliant 269 against England at Edgbaston.

That knock not only showed his skill but also proved that he could carry India’s batting under challenging situations.

In this article, I will tell you the story of Shubman Gill, how he grew as a player, how his Edgbaston innings compares to Virat Kohli’s century against England, and why he is the future of Indian cricket.

Only nine foreign captains have scored hundreds in both the first and second tests of a series in England, including Gill.

Legends like Garfield Sobers (1966, Old Trafford and Lord’s) and Don Bradman (1938, Trent Bridge and Lord’s) are on the list.

In his first two Test matches as captain, Gill also made history by hitting hundreds of runs.

Australia’s legendary Steve Smith scored tons in his first three tests, while England’s great Alastair Cook hit hundreds in his first five. Both Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli, two of India’s greatest players, scored three figures in their first two games as captains.

Gill’s century also contained just 4% incorrect shots. That was the lowest number for an England Test hundred since 2006, as reported by CricViz.

Remarkably, at this point in his career, Gill tied Kohli’s record. In his 138th innings, the current Test skipper recorded his 16th century for his country.

By his 138th innings, Kohli had also scored 16 international centuries. At this stage of their careers, both averaged slightly over 45 and had about 5,500 runs.

The Early Days of Shubman Gill.

Shubman Gill was born on 8 September 1999 in Fazilka, Punjab. From the start, he was different from other kids.

His father, Lakhwinder Singh, saw his love for cricket and built a small pitch on their farm. Young Shubman would spend hours hitting balls and dreaming of playing for India.

He quickly moved up the ranks in local cricket. Coaches noticed his perfect balance and the way he could play fast bowlers and spinners with ease. His first big step came when he was chosen for the India Under-19 team.

Shubman Gill in the Under-19 World Cup.

In the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, Shubman Gill became a star. He was the vice-captain of the team and the leading run-scorer. His batting was smooth and full of confidence.

He made 372 runs in six matches.
He scored an unforgettable century in the semi-final against Pakistan.
He was named the Player of the Tournament.

Many experts, including Rahul Dravid, who was the coach, said that Shubman was ready for the big stage.

From IPL to the Indian Team.

Following his success in the Under-19 tournament, Shubman Gill was selected by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). There, he showed he could handle the pressure of big crowds and fast bowlers.

Later, he moved to the Gujarat Titans, where he became one of their leading batsmen. His steady performances in the IPL earned him a place in the Indian Test squad.

The Test Against England at Edgbaston.

One of the most talked-about moments in his career came during the Test against England at Edgbaston.

This match was crucial because India needed to win to maintain their position at the top of the World Test Championship table.

While fans were excited to see stars like Virat Kohli, nobody expected that Shubman Gill would play one of the most superb innings ever by an Indian abroad.

Shubman Gill’s 269 against England at Edgbaston was a masterclass.

He faced the moving ball with calmness.
He punished any loose delivery with perfect timing.
He built strong partnerships with other batters.

His 269 runs were full of classic drives, brilliant cuts, and solid defence.

Comparing Shubman Gill’s 269 with Virat Kohli’s century.

Before this test, many fans remembered Virat Kohli’s century against England, which was also scored at Edgbaston in 2018.

Virat Kohli’s century against England was special because it came under pressure, and he had been criticised for failing in England before.

His innings was brave and full of passion, and helped India fight back.

Shubman Gill’s 269 was different in style:

Where Kohli’s century was aggressive and emotional, Shubman’s knock was calm and steady.
Kohli fought to save the match; Shubman built a big lead for India.
Both innings demonstrated the adaptability of Indian batters in England.

Watching Shubman that day, I felt I was witnessing the passing of the torch—from Kohli’s generation to a new era led by Gill.

What Made the Edgbaston Innings Special?

Many things made Shubman Gill’s 269 against England at Edgbaston stand out:

Patience: He left good balls and defended with confidence.
Shot Selection: He picked the right balls to attack.
Fitness: He batted for almost two days without losing focus.
Mental Strength: Even when England’s bowlers tried to unsettle him, he stayed calm.

Former players and commentators praised him. Sunil Gavaskar called it one of the finest overseas innings by an Indian batsman.

Shubman Gill’s Technique and Style.

What sets Shubman Gill apart is his technique:

He has a still head when playing shots.
His feet move quickly, helping him get into position.
His cover drives remind people of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.
His pull shots and cuts are crisp and powerful.

When you watch Shubman bat, you feel he has extra time to play every ball. That is the sign of a world-class player.

Learning from Virat Kohli.

Shubman Gill often says he has learned a lot from Virat Kohli.

Kohli taught him the importance of fitness and mental toughness.
He showed him how to handle pressure and criticism.
Watching Kohli bat in England inspired him to improve his own game.

In fact, after his 269 against England at Edgbaston, Shubman thanked Virat for guiding him. He said that Kohli’s example helped him believe he could succeed in harsh English conditions.

The Future of Indian Cricket.

With senior players like Virat Kohli moving into the later stages of their careers, the future of Indian cricket will depend on young stars like Shubman Gill.

Fans and experts believe he can.

Be India’s next great Test batsman.
Lead the team as captain one day.
He’ll break many records if he stays fit and focused.

His performance in England proved he can play anywhere, in any condition.

My Experience Watching Shubman Gill.

I remember watching the highlights of Shubman Gill’s 269 against England at Edgbaston in 2025 late at night. Every shot looked effortless. When he raised his bat after reaching his double century, it felt like a special moment for Indian cricket.

I have seen many great innings by players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli. Shubman’s knock was right up there with the best.

Conclusion

Shubman Gill has demonstrated that he is prepared to become the next cricket sensation from India. His journey from Punjab to Edgbaston is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and self-confidence.

At Edgbaston, his 269 versus England is more than just a score. It demonstrates that a new generation is ready to elevate Indian cricket to new heights.

We are fortunate to be watching this narrative develop as fans. The player who will shape the next ten years is Shubman Gill, so if you enjoy cricket, keep an eye on him.