Sometimes, not losing a Test series on English soil is as commendable as winning one. That’s a rare feat in Indian cricket history, and with the thrilling 2-2 draw in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Shubman Gill has now entered an elite club of Indian captains who walked away from England unbeaten.
The Exclusive Trio – Ganguly, Kohli & Gill
Only two Indian captains before Gill had managed this in England:
- Sourav Ganguly – Drew 1-1 in a four-match series in 2002
- Virat Kohli – Led 2-1 in 2021 (before the 5th Test was postponed)
- Shubman Gill – Drew 2-2 in a five-match series in 2025
Gill’s addition to this list is significant not just for the result, but for the resilience and flair his team showed across a series that saw both teams trading punches in a run-laden blockbuster.
A Captain’s Bat Talks: 754 Runs at 75.4
If captaincy is about leading from the front, then Shubman Gill aced the test in every sense. In his first Test series as captain, Gill amassed a stunning 754 runs across five Tests at an average of 75.4 – narrowly missing out on Sunil Gavaskar’s record (774 runs in 1971) by just 20 runs.
He wasn’t just collecting runs – he was shaping matches. His jaw-dropping performance at Birmingham, where he scored 269 and 161 in a single Test, made history as India registered their first-ever Test victory at that venue.
Series That Slipped Away?
There’s a feeling of what could have been. Much like the 2021 series under Kohli, which India led 2-1 before the final Test at Old Trafford was postponed due to COVID concerns, the 2025 series too had moments where India should’ve sealed it.
The most glaring was the 3rd Test at Lord’s, where India had England under pressure but let the game slip in the final innings. Yet, to emerge from England without losing a series – twice in a row now – reflects a transformation in India’s approach overseas.
The Bigger Picture
Winning a Test series in England remains one of cricket’s hardest challenges. The conditions, the Dukes ball, the crowd, and the quality of opposition make it a near-mythical target for touring teams. But staying unbeaten – especially over five grueling Tests speaks volumes about India’s depth, belief, and direction under Gill.
In the larger canvas of Indian Test history, Shubman Gill’s debut series as captain stands tall. Not just for the 754 runs, not just for the win at Birmingham, and not just for drawing 2-2. But for showing that leadership isn’t about age or experience – it’s about stepping up when it matters.
As India now looks ahead to the future of Test cricket, Gill’s calm leadership and batting brilliance promise much. For now, he can proudly stand alongside Ganguly and Kohli – three men who took India to England, and didn’t come back beaten.
