Shubman Gill’s phenomenal run in the 2025 Test series against England has been nothing short of spectacular, but a reckless run-out in the final Test at The Oval has sparked heated discussions among fans and experts. Despite the misstep, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed the young star, emphasizing his overall brilliance. Let’s dive into why Gill’s record-breaking series remains the talk of the cricketing world and how this momentary lapse doesn’t define his legacy.
A Stellar Series for Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has been in the form of his life, amassing a staggering 743 runs in the series at an average of 92.12. This incredible tally has seen him surpass Sunil Gavaskar’s 46-year-old record for the most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series (732 runs against West Indies in 1978-79). Gill’s series haul is also the second-highest by any Indian batter, trailing only Gavaskar’s 774 runs from 1971. His fluent batting has made him a standout performer, with fans marveling at his ability to make batting look effortless, even on challenging English pitches.
The Run-Out That Shocked Fans
On Day 1 of the fifth Test at The Oval, Gill was cruising at 21 off 35 balls when disaster struck. In the 28th over, he pushed a delivery and called for a quick single that was never on. Hesitating midway, Gill was left stranded as England’s Gus Atkinson swooped in with a direct hit. The run-out left India reeling and drew sharp criticism from fans and former players, who labeled it a “careless” mistake. The dismissal was particularly frustrating given India’s precarious position, but it didn’t lead to a complete collapse, thanks to Karun Nair’s gritty unbeaten 52, which guided India to 204/6 by stumps.
Coach’s Support Amid Criticism
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate came to Gill’s defense during the post-match press conference, calling the run-out a “misjudgment” rather than a reckless act. “He’s in the touch of his life,” Doeschate remarked, highlighting Gill’s exceptional form. He noted that England’s bowlers had bowled tightly during that passage of play, and Gill’s intent to keep the scoreboard ticking reflected the team’s aggressive approach. “Given what he’s done in the first four Tests, we’ll let him get away with this one,” Doeschate added, signaling confidence in Gill’s ability to bounce back.
India’s Historic Series Performance
Despite the run-out drama, India’s overall performance in the series has been remarkable. Their aggregate of 3393 runs is the highest by any team in a Test series since 1995, surpassing their own previous record of 3270 runs against West Indies in 1978-79. Karun Nair’s unbeaten 52 on Day 1 marked his return to form after a 3149-day gap between 50-plus scores, a feat only surpassed by Parthiv Patel’s 4426-day gap. However, India’s luck at the toss continued to falter, with the team losing all five tosses in this series—a rare occurrence in modern cricket.
Why Gill’s Legacy Remains Untarnished
While the run-out was a blemish, it’s hard to overshadow Gill’s monumental contributions. His leadership and batting prowess have cemented his status as one of India’s brightest stars. The 25-year-old’s ability to dominate England’s bowlers on their home turf speaks volumes about his skill and temperament. As India looks to build on their strong position in the final Test, Gill’s focus will likely shift to adding more runs and leading his team to a series-defining performance.
Shubman Gill’s Run-Out & India vs England 5th Test Day 1 Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Final Test vs England, Day 1 |
| Venue | The Oval |
| Shubman Gill’s Score | 21 (35 balls) |
| Mode of Dismissal | Run-out (misjudged single, direct hit by Gus Atkinson) |
| Coach Reaction | Ryan ten Doeschate called it a “misjudgment”, but forgave the error due to Gill’s series form |
| Ex-Player Reaction | Many lashed out at Gill for recklessness |
| Gill’s Series Stats | 743 runs @ 92.12 avg — highest by an Indian captain in a Test series |
| Record Surpassed | Sunil Gavaskar’s 732 runs in 1978-79 vs West Indies |
| India’s Total on Day 1 | 204/6 |
| Karun Nair’s Score | 52* — First 50+ score in 3149 days since 303* in 2016 |
| India’s Series Total | 3393 runs — highest for India in any Test series (surpasses 3270 vs WI in 1978-79) |
| Toss Record | India lost all 5 tosses in this series (15 consecutive across formats since January 2025) |
| Probability of 15 Tosses Lost | 0.003% |
| England’s Changes (5th Test) | 4 |
| India’s Changes (5th Test) | 4 |
| Historical Note | Only second instance since 2003 of both teams making 4+ changes before a Test match |
Looking Ahead
Shubman Gill’s record-breaking Test series has been a masterclass in consistency and flair, with the run-out serving as a minor hiccup in an otherwise stellar campaign. With India still in a competitive position at The Oval, Gill has the chance to further his legacy and silence his critics. As fans eagerly await the next chapter of this thrilling series, one thing is clear: Gill’s star continues to rise, and this is just the beginning.
FAQ: Shubman Gill’s Run-Out and India vs England 5th Test Highlights
Q1: Why was Shubman Gill criticized during the final Test against England?
Shubman Gill was criticized for a careless run-out in the first innings on Day 1 at The Oval. He misjudged a single and was run out for 21 runs, despite being in excellent form throughout the series.
Q2: What did India’s assistant coach say about Gill’s run-out?
Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, called it a “misjudgment of a run” and defended Gill, highlighting that his overall contributions in the series far outweighed the error.
Q3: How well has Shubman Gill performed in this Test series?
Gill has scored 743 runs so far in the series at an average of 92.12, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 732 runs for the most by an Indian captain in a Test series.
Q4: How did India perform on Day 1 of the final Test?
India ended Day 1 at 204/6. Karun Nair played a crucial unbeaten knock of 52 to stabilize the innings after Gill’s dismissal.
Q5: What is the significance of Karun Nair’s half-century?
Karun Nair’s 52* marked his first 50-plus score in 3149 days. His previous such score was the unbeaten 303 against England in December 2016, making this the second-longest gap between two 50+ scores for an Indian Test batter.
Q6: How many runs has India scored in this series overall?
India has scored a total of 3393 runs in the series so far, the most they’ve scored in any Test series. This surpasses their previous record of 3270 runs during the 1978-79 home series against West Indies.
Q7: Has any other team lost so many tosses consecutively?
India has now lost 15 consecutive tosses across formats, the longest such streak in men’s international cricket. The probability of losing 15 in a row is just 0.003%.
Q8: How often have India lost all tosses in a Test series before?
This is the fourth time India has lost all tosses in a five-match (or longer) Test series. The previous instances were against West Indies in 1948-49 and 1983, and against England in 2018.
Q9: How many team changes were made for the fifth Test?
Both England and India made four changes each for the fifth Test. This is only the second time since 2003 that both teams made four or more changes before a Test.
Q10: Is Shubman Gill’s run tally among the best in Indian Test history?
Yes. With 743 runs in the series, Gill holds the second-highest series total by an Indian batter in Tests, only behind Sunil Gavaskar’s 774 against West Indies in 1971.