Colombo: Shubman Gill becomes fourth-youngest Indian to 3,000 Test runs
Shubman Gill has achieved a significant milestone in his Test career, becoming the fourth-youngest Indian cricketer to reach 3,000 Test runs. This accomplishment occurred during the ongoing second Test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Gill, at 26 years and 349 days old, reached this landmark during the opening session of the match.
The right-handed batter needed 13 runs to reach the milestone when he began the match and remained unbeaten on 13 at lunch on Day 1. His consistent performance has been a highlight of his career, marking him as a key player for the Indian side.
Gill’s Test Career Overview
In his 43 Tests, Gill has accumulated a total of 3,004 runs across 77 innings. His Test average stands at 43.53, and he has registered 11 centuries and eight half-centuries in his career so far. His strike rate in Tests is 61.59, reflecting his aggressive yet controlled batting style.
Among Indian cricketers, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for being the youngest to reach 3,000 Test runs, achieving it at 23 years and 228 days. Gill now joins an elite group of Indian batters who have reached this significant career milestone at a young age.
Gill’s journey to 3,000 runs underscores his growing influence in the Test format. His ability to score big hundreds has been a crucial asset for India in various conditions, both home and away. The milestone in Colombo further solidifies his position as one of the promising young talents in Indian cricket.
Impact of Captaincy
Gill has also taken on the responsibility of captaincy, a role in which he has thrived without any apparent dip in his batting form. As captain, he has scored 1,111 runs in 18 innings across 11 Tests. His average as captain is an impressive 74.06, indicating that the added leadership role has not hindered his individual performance.
Under his captaincy, Gill has scored six centuries and one half-century, with his highest score as captain being 269. This demonstrates his capability to lead from the front and perform under pressure, contributing significantly with both bat and leadership.
The second Test against Sri Lanka saw India make some changes to their playing XI. Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain was handed his Test debut. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav was unavailable for the match due to a viral illness, leading to adjustments in the team composition.
India’s Opening Session in Colombo
The opening session of the second Test in Colombo saw India batting first after Gill won the toss. The session was evenly contested, with Sri Lanka managing to pick up two wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a quick start for India, scoring 45 runs from 53 balls, which included nine fours, before his dismissal.
KL Rahul also contributed with 18 runs from 33 balls, hitting two fours and a six. At lunch on Day 1, India’s score stood at 88 for two. Gill remained at the crease unbeaten on 13, alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who was 11 not out, setting the stage for the remainder of India’s innings.
Source: m.rediff.com
