India captain Shubman Gill broke one record after another, but failed to go past legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar's record of scoring the most runs in a single Test series. The former India opener scored a colossal 774 runs against the mighty West Indies. However, 54 years down the line, the cricket expert's record was set to be broken by Gill, who eventually fell short by just 22 runs.
After the close of play on Day 3 of the ongoing fifth Test, the Indian skipper was presented with a fitting signed cap and shirt by Gavaskar as he lauded the 25-year-old player for having a terrific series with the bat in his debut series as a leader. Gavaskar scored a record-breaking 774 runs in the 1971 Test series, and several Indian batters came close to breaking it. However, the former Indian opener's record still stands even 54 years later.
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Speaking on the Sony Sports Network, the cricket expert said that Shubman Gill's achievement was much bigger than his, as his 754 runs came when he was captaining the side.
“Well, yes, in anticipation of his going past my record, I had gotten something for him. This is all in God's hands. But 754 runs, it's fantastic. The difference is that 754 runs have come with him having the additional responsibility of being the captain,” said Gavaskar while speaking to Sanjana Ganesan and Cheteshwar Pujara.
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“Mine, I was the baby of the team, it wouldn't have mattered. If I failed, nobody would have given a hoot. As the captain, I need to score 754 runs. More than 750 runs, where he is making the difference to his side's fortunes. Don't go by those 20 runs, just see what those 754 runs have done for Indian cricket,” he added.
Shubman Gill walks the talk, leads from front with bat
Before the Test series, Gill's average was 35, after the England series, his average has shot to 42. There were lot of talks about how the right-hand batter would fare in England - conditions that seam and swing prodigiously. However, not only he has dismissed those talks in style, but he has also made the number four spot his own after Virat Kohli's Test retirement.
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His captaincy has also been pretty good. Although there were few calls that sometimes backfired, largely he has looked quite measured and composed.
