Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the India National Cricket Team have been performing brilliantly in the ongoing five-match Test series against the England National Cricket Team.
The India vs England Test series is being played for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and the Three Lions are currently leading by 2-1.
Shubman Gill’s India create history
The pitches on offer for the five-match Test series between India and England have been mostly batting-friendly. It has helped the Indian team in transition to deliver consistent performances and score big runs.
In the Test series opener, India scored 471 & 364 at Headingley in Leeds and followed it up with scores of 587 & 427/6d at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Then, in the next two Test matches at Lord’s in London and Old Trafford in Manchester, the visitors registered the scores of 387 & 192 and 358 & 425/4.
Although Shubman Gill-led India are trailing in the series, the batting performances have been the biggest positive, especially considering the recent retirements of the batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket.
The batting brilliance in England have helped the Shubman Gill-led side become the Indian team with the most runs in a Test series in history. Also, the Shubman Gill-led side now hold the record for most boundaries in a Test series in Indian cricket history.
Most runs scored by India in a Test series:
3272* – IND tour of ENG, 2025**
3270 – WI tour of IND, 1978/79
3230 – ENG tour of IND, 2016/17
3140 – ENG tour of IND, 2024
3119 – ENG tour of IND, 1963/64
Most boundaries in a Test series for India:
402* – IND tour of ENG 2025
384 – ENG tour of IND 1964
381 – ENG tour of IND 2024
376 – ENG tour of IND 2016
361 – IND tour of AUS 2003-04
A lot was said about this India side arriving without Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli – Ben Stokes
Speaking to Sky Sports, England captain Ben Stokes, who is out of the fifth Test with an injury, said that Shubman Gill’s India have been a ‘quality’ side and have delivered amazing performances even in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. He said:
“A lot was said about this India side arriving without Ravi Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – three massive players who have done loads.
“But this India team are quality. You look at some of the numbers of their batters and the efforts their bowlers have put in. So I think we have taken some really good strides. The chat we had after the New Zealand series last winter, it has been great to see us implement that and get results.”
Ben Stokes also acknowledged that both teams have shown great character and played exceptional quality of cricket. He said:
“The series has been good, the quality of cricket exceptional. Both teams have given everything so far and I don’t see this being any different.
“The unresponsive pitches have been frustrating but if you are expecting everything to be in your favour all the time… When you are up against it, it shows a lot of character from both to be able to force results.”
