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A new chapter in Indian cricket history unfolded at Headingley, Leeds, as Shubman Gill marked his Test captaincy debut with a commanding century, joining an exclusive list of Indian legends who have scored a hundred in their first match as Test captain. The 25-year-old’s unbeaten 127 on Day 1 against England not only anchored India to a record-breaking start but also signalled the dawn of a new era following the retirements of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
A dream Test captaincy debut for Shubman Gill
After being handed the captaincy in the wake of Rohit’s retirement, questions loomed over Gill’s readiness to lead in challenging English conditions. Those doubts were emphatically dispelled as Gill led from the front, steering India to 359/3 by stumps—their highest-ever Day 1 total in a Test in England. Coming to the crease after the dismissal of KL Rahul, Gill showcased composure and authority, reaching his sixth Test century—his third against England—off just 140 balls, peppered with 14 crisp boundaries.
His partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who also scored a century, was pivotal. The duo added 129 runs for the third wicket, pulling India out of early trouble and establishing a position of dominance. Gill’s innings was a masterclass in timing, intent and leadership, earning praise for both its substance and style.
First hundred as captain for Shubman Gill 👏🔥#ShubmanGill #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/kr5Msaw1AN
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 20, 2025
Indian batters to score a century on Test captaincy debut
With his hundred, Gill became only the fifth Indian to score a century on Test captaincy debut, a feat achieved by just 33 players worldwide in Test history. The other Indian batters to have accomplished this rare milestone are:
| Player | Score | Opponent & Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vijay Hazare | 164* | vs England, Delhi | 1951 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 116 | vs New Zealand, Auckland | 1976 |
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 102 | vs West Indies, Delhi | 1987 |
| Virat Kohli | 115 | vs Australia, Adelaide | 2014 |
| Shubman Gill | 127* | vs England, Headingley | 2025 |
Vijay Hazare was the first Indian to achieve this feat, scoring an unbeaten 164 against England in 1951. Sunil Gavaskar followed with a century in Auckland in 1976, while Dilip Vengsarkar’s 102 came in a fighting second-innings effort against the West Indies in 1987. Virat Kohli, in 2014, made a dramatic 115 in Adelaide, showing the nerve and character that would define his captaincy.
Also READ: India’s youngest Test captains ft. Sachin Tendulkar and Shubman Gill
