The Indian cricket team is set to return to action on November 14, commencing a two-match Test series against South Africa, while all eyes will be on the young and dynamic Shubman Gill, who will be leading the Indian side in this crucial series. The first match, scheduled to take place at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens, will see Gill not only shoulder the responsibility of captaincy but also be expected to make significant contributions with the bat. Currently in excellent form, Shubman Gill has a golden opportunity to achieve several major milestones this year.
Opportunity to Complete 1000 Runs in 2025
Shubman Gill is on the verge of completing 1000 runs in Test cricket this year, while he requires just 21 more runs to reach this impressive figure. This would be a personal achievement that underscores his consistent performance and growing stature in the longest format of the game. Becoming the first batsman to score 1000 Test runs in 2025 would mark a significant milestone in his burgeoning career, further solidifying his position as a key player for India.
Nearing 3000 Runs in World Test Championship
The two-match Test series against South Africa will see the first Test played in Kolkata from November 14, followed by the second Test from November 22 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. In both these matches, Gill will have several major records in his sights. Among them is a particular record that, until now, has only been held by Pakistan's star batsman, Babar Azam. Shubman Gill is very close to accumulating 3000 runs in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC), a testament to his prowess in Test cricket's premier competition.
Gill's WTC Statistics and Required Runs
In the WTC, Shubman Gill has so far scored 2839 runs from 72 innings across 39 Test matches, maintaining an impressive average of 43. 01. His WTC career includes 10 centuries and 8 half-centuries, highlighting his ability to play substantial innings, while to reach the 3000-run mark in the WTC, Gill needs just 161 more runs. If he manages to score these 161 runs across the four innings available in the two upcoming Test matches against South Africa, he will become the 9th batsman in the world to score 3000 or more runs in the history of the World Test Championship. This achievement would place him among an elite group of Test cricketers.
Second Asian After Babar Azam
On top of that, by achieving this special milestone, Shubman Gill would become only the second Asian batsman to do so. This remarkable feat has, until now, been exclusively held by Pakistan's former captain and star batsman, Babar Azam. Babar Azam has amassed 3129 runs in the WTC from 70 innings in 38 Test matches, boasting an excellent average of 47, while 40. His WTC record includes 8 centuries and 19 half-centuries, showcasing his consistency and match-winning capabilities, while for Gill, joining Babar Azam in this exclusive club would be a significant personal triumph and a source of great motivation.
Leading Run-Scorers in World Test Championship (WTC)
This accomplishment would see Gill's name added to a prestigious list of batsmen who have piled up runs in the WTC. The list comprises some of the finest Test batsmen globally who have left their mark on this championship.
Joe Root - 6080 runs
Steve Smith - 4278 runs
Marnus Labuschagne - 4225 runs
Ben Stokes - 3616 runs
Travis Head - 3300 runs
Usman Khawaja - 3288 runs
Babar Azam - 3129 runs
Zak Crawley - 3041 runs
Ollie Pope - 2868 runs
Shubman Gill - 2839 runs
Kane Williamson - 2822 runs
By featuring on this list, Shubman Gill won't only prove his batting prowess but also achieve a significant milestone for Indian cricket. The upcoming series against South Africa could prove to be memorable for him, both on a personal level and for the team's performance.
