Gill Aims to Surpass Tendulkar and Pant’s Edgbaston Records

BIRMINGHAM: Following a remarkable century in the ongoing Test match against England, India’s Test skipper, Shubman Gill, stands on the cusp of eclipsing Virat Kohli’s long-held distinction for the highest individual score by an Indian batter at Edgbaston.

Gill’s impressive, undefeated innings of 114 runs in India’s initial innings propelled the team to a strong position of 310/5 at the close of play.

His composed performance places him within reach of surpassing Kohli’s record of 149, achieved during a memorable innings at the same venue in 2018.

The Indian captain requires just 36 additional runs to establish a new benchmark for the highest individual score by an Indian player at Edgbaston. Should he accomplish this, Gill will secure his place in the record books, taking over the current record from Kohli.

In addition to Kohli, Gill has the opportunity to outshine the Edgbaston records set by legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar and current vice-captain Rishabh Pant.

Tendulkar had previously scored 122 at this ground during his celebrated career, while Pant recorded an impressive 146 during a past tour.

Gill’s unbeaten century was crucial in positioning India favorably on the first day of the Test match against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

At the end of the first day, the visiting team stood at 310/5, with Gill and Ravindra Jadeja remaining undefeated on 114 and 41, respectively.

India’s innings began shakily, with Chris Woakes dismissing KL Rahul (two) in the ninth over, leaving the score at just 15 runs.

In-form opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was then joined by Karun Nair, and together they forged an 80-run partnership before Nair was dismissed in the 24th over.

Nair contributed 31 runs off 50 balls, including five boundaries.

Jaiswal participated in another vital partnership for India, adding 66 runs for the third wicket with Gill, until England’s captain, Ben Stokes, caught him behind. He struck 13 boundaries in his innings of 87 off 107 balls.

Rishabh Pant, who had scored centuries in both innings of the series opener in Leeds, had a short stint at the crease, being dismissed by Shoaib Bashir after scoring 25 off 42 deliveries.

The visitors then faced another setback when Woakes outsmarted Nitish Kumar Reddy (one), causing them to slip to 211/5.

Following these quick dismissals, Jadeja partnered with Gill and guided India to a more stable position by the end of the day’s play.

Gill emerged as India’s highest scorer thus far, remaining unbeaten with 114 runs off 216 deliveries, which included 12 boundaries, while Jadeja scored 41 off 67 deliveries.

Woakes was the most successful bowler for England on the first day, claiming two wickets, while Stokes, Shoaib, and Brydon Carse each took one wicket.

England currently leads the five-match series against India 1-0, having secured a five-wicket victory in the series opener.