Gill’s captaincy record reaches elite status with century against Afghanistan
Shubman Gill’s 126 against Afghanistan extends his average to 82.76, marking a historic start to his tenure as India’s 37th Test captain.
Indian Test captain Shubman Gill has reinforced his standing in the sport’s leadership hierarchy after scoring 126 runs in the one-off Test against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh. The innings extended his captaincy tally to 1,076 runs across 15 innings, yielding a batting average of 82.76. This performance places him second only to Don Bradman, who holds an average of 101.5, among captains with a minimum of 1,000 Test runs.
Gill succeeded Rohit Sharma as India’s 37th Test captain and has established a rapid trajectory since taking the role. He became the second-fastest Indian captain to reach 1,000 Test runs, achieving the milestone in 15 innings, trailing only Sunil Gavaskar, who reached the mark in 14. Gill also holds the record for the fastest Indian captain to reach 1,000 runs by time, requiring just 351 days to cross the threshold.
The one-off match against Afghanistan saw India declare their first innings at 564/8 in 127 overs during the second session of Day 2. Gill’s 126 runs were supported by a strong batting lineup, with KL Rahul scoring 100, Sai Sudharsan 81, Rishabh Pant 81, and Washington Sundar 52. The collective effort underscored the depth of the Indian side under Gill’s leadership.
Gill’s leadership tenure has already produced significant historical markers, particularly during India’s five-Test tour of England. In his maiden assignment as captain on that tour, he amassed 754 runs across the series as India secured a 2-2 draw. He also became the first Indian captain to win a Test match at Edgbaston, a feat that has defined his early command of the side.
Among the broader group of Test captains with over 1,000 runs, Gill’s average sits well above other notable figures. Kumar Sangakkara holds an average of 69.6, Steven Smith 68.1, and Mahela Jayawardene 59.1. Gill’s current standing highlights a period of exceptional run-scoring efficiency that coincides with his transition into the captaincy role.
