After 47 years, Shubman Gill recreates Gavaskar's rare record as Indian Test captain vs West Indies

Shubman Gill achieved a massive feat vs WI [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill had a dream start to the home series against West Indies, slamming a valiant fifty in the first Test at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Coming at number four, Gill struck 50 runs off 100 balls before he became the victim of his West Indies counterpart, Roston Chase. 

Gill joins Gavaskar in massive feat after 47 years

Notably, this was Shubman Gill's first-ever Test innings at home as the Indian captain. As soon as the stylish Punjab batter brought up his half-century, he attained the rare feat of scoring a fifty-plus score on the maiden Test innings as Indian captain on home soil. 

Interestingly, Sunil Gavaskar was the last Indian skipper to record a fifty-plus score in his first outing at home. The talismanic opener achieved the landmark in India's Test match against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai back in 1978. Thus, Gill recreated a similar feat after 47 years, accompanying Gavaskar in the prestigious list. 

Gill fails to convert his fifty unlike Gavaskar

While Sunil Gavaskar went on to pile 205 runs in that game against the West Indies, Shubman Gill was dismissed soon after completing his fifty. The right-handed batter, who showcased remarkable form during India's England tour, made his way back to the dugout when Roston Chase got his prized scalp in the 57th over. 

However, despite losing their captain, India are in a commanding position in the first Test against the West Indies. Although Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan departed early, Gill steadied the ship, adding 98 runs with KL Rahul for the third wicket. As of writing, India were 209 for three, with Rahul and Dhruv Jurel batting on 98* and 7*, respectively. 

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