Shubman Joins Legends: 5 Indians Who Hit a Century in First Match as Skipper

Sports News: A new chapter has unfolded in Indian Test cricket as Shubman Gill marked his captaincy debut with a magnificent century on Day 1 of the Leeds Test against England. With just 140 balls, Gill reached the three-figure mark, sending a clear message—the next generation has arrived, and it means business.

At just 25 years of age, Gill has been handed the responsibility to lead the Indian Test side following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, and his composure and class in his very first outing as captain have already started winning hearts.

Gill Joins Elite List with Century in First Match as India’s Test Captain

Gill has now joined an elite group of Indian Test skippers who scored a century in their first match as captain. Only four Indian legends have done it before him:

• Vijay Hazare – 164* vs England, 1951
• Sunil Gavaskar – 116 vs New Zealand, 1976
• Dilip Vengsarkar – 102 vs West Indies, 1987
• Virat Kohli – 115 & 141 vs Australia, 2014
• Shubman Gill – 100 vs England, 2025

His name now sits proudly among the titans of Indian cricket, a momentous achievement at the very beginning of his leadership journey.

Grace Under Pressure, Composure Amidst Challenge

Opening your captaincy tenure on foreign soil, facing England’s lethal seam and swing attack, is no easy feat. But Gill appeared unfazed. His innings reflected technical maturity, restraint, and astute shot selection rather than flamboyance.

He built his innings patiently, playing each ball on merit. This approach not only steadied India’s innings but also laid a solid platform for the team to build upon. It was a performance that spoke volumes — not just about his talent, but his temperament too.

Cricket Legends Laud the Young Captain

As expected, Gill’s stellar knock drew widespread praise from former cricketers and analysts.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly wrote, “Gill possesses the poise and potential to lead India in Tests for the long haul. This hundred is just a glimpse of the future.”

Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh added, “At 25, to shoulder such responsibility with such maturity is commendable. Shubman Gill has the makings of a great leader for Indian cricket.”

A New Beginning with a Promising Legacy

Shubman Gill’s century in his first Test as captain is more than a personal milestone—it could well mark the start of a new era for Indian cricket. After searching for a long-term Test leader post-Kohli and Rohit, Gill’s arrival brings both hope and confidence. 

The big question now is—can he lead India to a series win on foreign soil? If he does, this Leeds Test will not just be remembered for a debut hundred, but for the dawn of a new Indian Test legacy. Gill has made a statement, not just with the bat but with his presence, poise, and leadership promise. The first step in his captaincy journey may have been a tough one, but he’s made it historic.