Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad has heaped praise on the Indian red-ball skipper, Shubman Gill, after his heroics at Edgbaston. Following his maiden double ton in the 1st innings, Gill ended up with 161 runs in the second, making it a total of 430 runs in a game, the most by any batter in a test match.
Gill has been under scrutiny previously for his poor test records. Before the series, Gill averaged just 14 across six Test innings in England. The Indian skipper has now silenced all the critics with his bat as he scored his third century of the series in just 4 innings.
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Prasad compares Gill to Graeme Smith after 430-run epic
Prasad was quick to acknowledge Gill’s growth as both a batter and captain. "Shubman Gill has taken on the responsibility of captaincy and the no.4 position in the most incredible fashion. 430 runs in this Test match, he’s looked like a man possessed," Prasad posted on X.
Prasad further compared Gill to the former South African skipper Graeme Smith. "Going to be a very special player. Reminds me of how Graeme Smith started his captaincy career in England as well with some huge scores," he added.
Gill's monumental efforts have put India in a commanding position. India ended with 427 for 6 in the second innings at Edgbaston, setting up a massive target of 608 runs for the hosts. The Indian skipper was well accompanied by the other Indian batters. KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar all notched up fifties and helped India reach a position from which one could say that India has eliminated the loss.
MORE: India vs England: Top 10 highest partnerships in Test cricket history listed
The Indian bowlers were yet again breathing fire later on in the day. Akashdeep and Mohammad Siraj dismantled the English top order taking 3 crucial wickets with the new ball and reducing the hosts to 72 for 3 at the end of Day 4.
Although Prasidh Krishna did not manage to get a wicket, he however bowled one of his best spells of the series, troubling the English batters.
With 536 runs still required on the final day and only 7 wickets in hand for the hosts, one would expect India to clinch a victory and level the series ahead of the third test at Lords.
A win for India without Jasprit Bumrah here in Edgbaston would be a huge positive.
The Indian batters led by their skipper Gill have been in sublime touch and with the bowlers supporting equally well, the new era of Indian Test cricket looks very bright and positive.
Most runs in a Test by a batter:
- Graham Gooch - 456 vs India (1990)
- Shubman Gill - 430 vs England (2025)
- Mark Taylor - 426 vs Pakistan (1998)
- Kumar Sangakara - 424 vs Bangladesh (2014)
- Brian Lara - 400 vs England (2004)