Shubman Gill, India’s newly appointed Test captain, made an unforgettable mark on Day 2 of the first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy match against England at Headingley on June 22, 2025. The 24-year-old not only etched his name in history books with a stunning century in his first match as captain but also showcased a fiery side reminiscent of Virat Kohli’s aggressive leadership. A passionate celebration following a near-dismissal of England’s Joe Root by Mohammed Siraj had fans and commentators alike drawing parallels between Gill and his illustrious predecessor.
The defining moment came when Siraj bowled a fiery delivery to Root, prompting an immediate ‘out’ call from the umpire. Gill, stationed at mid-on, charged towards his bowler with unbridled energy, pointing animatedly as the Headingley crowd erupted. However, the celebration was short-lived as Root’s DRS review revealed no edge, overturning the decision. Despite the anti-climax, Gill’s raw emotion offered a glimpse of a transformed persona—far removed from the calm, composed demeanor he displays while batting.
In the commentary box, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was left searching for comparisons. ‘Who is this—Shubman Gill or someone else? When he bats, he’s so serene, but as captain, we’re seeing a completely different side. His celebration… it reminded me of someone, but I can’t quite place it. Definitely not MS Dhoni or Rohit Sharma. Maybe a No. 4 batter from the past?’ Manjrekar mused, before humorously guessing Ajit Wadekar. The moment sparked lively discussions among co-commentators like Navjot Singh Sidhu and Varun Aaron, with many eventually pointing to Kohli’s trademark intensity as the closest match.
Gill’s batting heroics further elevated his debut as captain. Scoring a century in his first Test at the helm, he joined an elite list of Indian captains including Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar. This remarkable feat also made him the 23rd player in Test history to achieve a hundred in their maiden match as captain and the fourth-youngest to do so, behind legends like Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steve Smith. Adding to the milestone, Gill reached 2,000 Test runs in his 60th innings, matching Kohli’s pace during his own captaincy debut.
Beyond the numbers, Gill’s transformation into a vocal and animated leader signals an exciting chapter for Indian cricket. Under Kohli’s captaincy from 2014 to 2022, India embraced an aggressive, expressive style, and Gill seems poised to carry forward that legacy while imprinting his own identity. With India facing a challenging England side in this five-match series, Day 2 at Headingley served as a powerful statement of intent from the young captain. As comparisons to Kohli grow, one thing is clear: Shubman Gill is ready to lead from the front, with both bat and heart. Will this fiery start define his captaincy journey? Only time—and the remaining Tests—will tell.