Shubman Gill led India for the first time in a Test series during a tough five-match tour of England, which ended in a 2-2 draw. This was only the third time India managed to draw a series in England, and the second time in a row. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar spoke highly of Gill’s performance as captain, especially considering it was his debut assignment in the role.
“It was a great series overall. A 2-2 result – things might have gone differently, but cricket doesn’t work on ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’,” Tendulkar shared in a video posted on Reddit. The series, notable for being the first with a trophy partly named after Tendulkar himself, is already being considered one of the most thrilling Test series in recent memory. Each match lasted the full five days, with gripping finishes in nearly every game.
Tendulkar observed that during strong England partnerships, Gill appeared to be searching for new ideas, but added that such situations are challenging for any captain. “It’s common when bowlers aren’t getting results—they start trying new things. That’s when a captain feels he doesn’t have enough fielders, and runs start flowing,” Tendulkar explained.
Despite this, he praised Gill’s composure. “He remained calm under pressure. When big partnerships happen, any captain’s first goal is to stop the runs. Overall, I think he managed the team well. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, but this was his first experience—against arguably the most aggressive Test side in the world right now. No other team bats like England,” he added.
Gill’s Batting Earns High Praise from the Master Blaster
Tendulkar also admired Gill’s remarkable batting performance throughout the series. The young opener scored a stunning 754 runs, including a 269-run knock in the second Test and 161 in the same match’s second innings.
“Shubman batted exceptionally well. He was calm, composed, and very well-organized,” said Tendulkar. “To bat with such quality, you need a clear head and a solid game plan. His footwork showed that clarity—when your mind is clear, your body follows. He seemed to have all the time in the world to play each ball.”
Sachin also pointed out Gill’s excellent shot selection and his ability to leave good deliveries alone—skills that come with maturity. “He respected the good balls and didn’t chase them unnecessarily. His defensive technique on the front foot was consistent, and his ability to leave deliveries was outstanding. Overall, his shot selection was sharp and very precise,” he concluded