Shubman Gill began his Test captaincy stint in style on Friday, smashing a fluent century to propel India to a commanding position on Day 1 of the opening Test of five-match series against England in Headingley.
Coming in at No 4, a position where Virat Kohli thrived for over a decade, Gill showed no signs of nervousness and produced an innings of sublime timing and poise.
Playing his 32nd Test, the 25-year-old right-hand batter played with his signature effortless ease and shattered multiple records as he crossed the three-figure mark with a sparkling boundary through cover point off Josh Tongue.
He became the 23rd player to score a century in debut innings as captain and the fourth youngest in this elite club, behind Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steven Smith.
Besides, he etched his name in India's Test history by becoming the fourth skipper to hit a century in debut innings.
The feat puts him in the exclusive company of Vijay Hazare (164 not out vs England in Delhi in 1951), Sunil Gavaskar (116 vs New Zealand in Auckland in 1976), and Virat Kohli (115 vs Australia in Adelaide in 2014).
IMAGE: Shubman Gill put on a 123-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 2nd session. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images via Reuters
He is only the eighth captain overall and third Indian captain to score a century at Leeds.
His innings was decorated with elegant drives and pulls either side of the wicket and brought up his hundred off just 139 balls.
Gill partnered opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and the duo stitched a vital 123-run stand in the 2nd session as India finished at 215 for 2 at tea.
Later, Gill (127 not out) joined forces with wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant (65 not out) to put India in the driver's seat as the visitors ended the day at 359-3.
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