Shubman Gill, India’s youngest full-time Test skipper in nearly two decades, walked out of Headingley to a standing ovation after scoring 147 off 227 deliveries in the opening Test of the five-match series.
Gill delivered a strong showing on Day 1 of the tournament after being named captain. After being put in to bat first, India concluded the day on 359/3, with Gill unbeaten on 127 and vice skipper Rishabh Pant on 65. However, on the following day, he could only add 20 runs to his overnight total, falling just short of his maiden 150.
His 227-ball stay was peppered with 19 magnificent boundaries and one six. The teenager formed vital partnerships throughout the innings, including a 129-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) and a stunning 209-run fourth-wicket partnership with Pant.
But, just as he was on course for a 150, Gill fell after coming down the track to off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and hit straight to Josh Tongue at deep backward square. His departure marked the return of Karun Nair to the Test XI after an eight-year absence. However, Nair went for a four-ball duck, thanks to a spectacular grab by Ollie Pope at short extra cover. At lunchtime, the visitors’ scoreboard read 454/7.
Here’s how fans reacted to Shubman Gill’s knock:
Breaking news : Captain Shubman Gill departs after scoring 147 (227), his highest score in Test cricket@ShubmanGill #INDvsENG #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/3FDzma8kgS
— mukul (@mukul76111) June 21, 2025
A stupendous knock (147) from Shubman Gill comes to an end. A captain’s knock definitely. Crowd gives a standing ovation. #ENGvsIND #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/oda5hkJZ0e
— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) June 21, 2025
History Made.
For the first time in TEST cricket history a Captain (Shubman Gill) and Vice-Captain (Rishabh Pant) smashed centuries in the same debut match as skipper and deputy.
Gill-Pant Era begins with a bang!🔥 pic.twitter.com/gKUaYnajBW
— SED KKR FAN (@KirketXpert) June 21, 2025
End of a magnificent knock and a fine partnership 👏👏
Captain Shubman Gill departs after scoring 147 (227), his highest score in Test cricket 🙌#INDvsENG #shubhamgill #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/o3mlXYBQdV
— Shiva (@shivammahor9191) June 21, 2025
Well Played Captain Shubman Gill
-Standing ovation for gill #INDvsENG #INDvsENGTest #WTC pic.twitter.com/74W3tZ7j4U
— Sumit Bhukal (@sumitbhukal4) June 21, 2025
What a knock from the Captain Shubman Gill on Test Captaincy debut in England.
– He was under immense pressure of not doing well in Test Cricket specially in SENA Counties and he responded with a magnificent performance.
– Well played Captain. pic.twitter.com/5jiEJtSHWA
— Kashif (@cricstate) June 21, 2025
🔥captain’s knock: by shubman gill 147 runs
— Surajit debnath (@Surajit32741315) June 21, 2025
End of a magnificent knock and a fine partnership 👏👏
Captain Shubman Gill departs after scoring 147 (227), his highest score in Test cricket 🙌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND
Shubman Gill dismissed at 147💔🙏#ShubmanGill #INDvs pic.twitter.com/yOhYs9ccn5
— Lucky Raypurya 🇮🇳🕸️ (@lucky15939) June 21, 2025
@ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/M2QA0yf698
— Suraj (@MRSURAJ1782) June 21, 2025
