Shubman Gill has etched his name into Indian cricket history by becoming the first Indian captain in 47 years to score a half-century in his debut home Test as skipper, joining the legendary Sunil Gavaskar in an elusive list. The milestone came during Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Gill’s composed 52-run knock marked a symbolic beginning to his leadership era on home soil.
Gill reached his fifty in 91 balls, nudging a single off Khary Pierre in the 56th over. Though his innings ended soon after—caught at slip off Roston Chase while attempting a reverse sweep—his achievement revived memories of Gavaskar’s iconic 205-run innings against the same opposition at Wankhede Stadium in 1978, the last time an Indian captain scored a fifty in his first home Test.
Shubman Gill’s Historic Feat – First Home Test as Captain
| Player Name | Year | Opponent | Venue | Score in First Home Test as Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | 1978 | West Indies | Wankhede Stadium | 205 |
| Shubman Gill | 2025 | West Indies | Narendra Modi Stadium | 52 |
Gill’s innings was part of a strong Indian batting display that saw KL Rahul notch his 11th Test century and debutant Dhruv Jurel contribute a gritty 125. India ended Day 2 at 448/5, having bowled out West Indies for a paltry 162 in the first innings. The hosts now hold a commanding 286-run lead heading into Day 3.
India vs West Indies – First Test Match Summary (Ahmedabad)
| Innings | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 162 all out | Siraj (4 wickets), Bumrah (3 wickets) |
| India | 448/5 at stumps Day 2 | Rahul (100), Jurel (125), Jadeja (104*) |
| Lead | 286 runs | India in dominant position |
Gill’s milestone comes on the heels of a prolific run in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, where he amassed 754 runs in five Tests and was named India’s Player of the Series. His transition into captaincy has been seamless, with a century in his first Test as captain in England and now a fifty in his first home Test.
Shubman Gill – Captaincy Debut Across Formats
| Format | Opponent | Venue | Score as Captain Debut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test (Away) | England | Lord’s | 147 |
| Test (Home) | West Indies | Ahmedabad | 52 |
| ODI | New Zealand | Mumbai | 89 |
| T20I | Pakistan | Mohali | 72 |
The 24-year-old right-hander has shown maturity beyond his years, balancing aggression with composure. His partnership of 98 runs with KL Rahul helped India recover from 121/2 and take control of the match. Though Gill fell short of a century, his innings was lauded for its technical precision and leadership poise.
Former cricketers and analysts praised Gill’s achievement, with VVS Laxman tweeting, “Shubman Gill’s fifty in his first home Test as captain is a sign of things to come. Calm, classy, and confident.” Harsha Bhogle added, “Joining Gavaskar in any list is special. Gill’s growth as a leader is evident.”
India’s Top Captains – First Home Test Performances
| Captain Name | Year | Opponent | Venue | Score in First Home Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | 1978 | West Indies | Wankhede Stadium | 205 |
| Kapil Dev | 1983 | West Indies | Delhi | 9 |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 1990 | Sri Lanka | Chandigarh | 35 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 2001 | Australia | Mumbai | 45 |
| MS Dhoni | 2008 | Australia | Mohali | 9 |
| Virat Kohli | 2015 | South Africa | Mohali | 1 |
| Shubman Gill | 2025 | West Indies | Ahmedabad | 52 |
Gill’s achievement also highlights the rarity of captains performing with the bat in their first home Test. Since Gavaskar’s 205 in 1978, no Indian captain had managed even a fifty in their debut home Test until Gill broke the drought.
The Ahmedabad crowd erupted in applause as Gill raised his bat, acknowledging the milestone. His innings was a blend of elegant drives, sharp singles, and confident footwork against spin. Though his dismissal came via an uncharacteristic reverse sweep, the innings had already made its mark.
Shubman Gill – Test Career Snapshot (as of Oct 2025)
| Matches Played | Runs Scored | Average | Centuries | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 2,765 | 52.12 | 9 | 8 |
India’s dominance in the Ahmedabad Test has been built on a strong bowling performance and a resilient batting display. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah dismantled the West Indies top order, while Jadeja’s unbeaten 104 and Jurel’s debut century added to the hosts’ advantage.
Social media buzz around Gill’s milestone has been intense, with hashtags like #GillJoinsGavaskar, #INDvWI, and #CaptainGill trending across Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Public Sentiment – Social Media Buzz on Gill’s Record
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 1.3M mentions | 86% celebratory | #GillJoinsGavaskar #CaptainGill |
| 1.1M interactions | 82% proud | #INDvWI #GillFifty | |
| 950K views | 88% strategic | #LeadershipInCricket #GillMilestone | |
| YouTube | 870K views | 85% reflective | #GillExplained #AhmedabadTest |
As India continues its home season with upcoming Tests against South Africa, Gill’s leadership and form will be crucial. His ability to lead from the front, both tactically and with the bat, signals a promising future for Indian cricket.
In conclusion, Shubman Gill’s fifty in his first home Test as captain not only places him alongside Sunil Gavaskar in an elite list but also marks the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket. With poise, performance, and pedigree, Gill is proving to be a worthy successor in the long lineage of Indian Test captains.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available match reports, verified cricket coverage, and official commentary. It does not constitute prediction or endorsement of any player’s future selection. All quotes are attributed to public figures and institutions as per coverage. Readers are advised to follow official BCCI updates for verified information.
