India’s upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka will be an important challenge for captain Shubman Gill. The two-match series begins on August 15 in Galle, and Gill will be looking to lead from the front with the bat.
The Indian captain also has a chance to enter an exclusive record book involving two legends – Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Only Sachin and Virat have achieved this
So far, only Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli have scored Test centuries in Sri Lanka while serving as India’s captain.
Sachin achieved the feat during India’s 1997 tour, scoring two centuries. Virat Kohli also scored Test hundreds in Sri Lanka during India’s tours in 2015 and 2017.
Now Gill has an opportunity to join this elite list.
Gill can create a unique record
If Gill scores a century during the upcoming series, he will join Sachin and Virat as Indian captains who have scored Test hundreds in Sri Lanka.
But there is an even bigger opportunity.
If Gill manages to score three centuries in the series, he would become the first Indian captain to score three Test centuries in a single series in Sri Lanka.
However, that would be a massive challenge because India will play only two Tests – one in Galle from August 15-19 and the second in Colombo from August 23-27.
Galle will test Gill against spin
The first Test will be played in Galle, where conditions can provide significant assistance to spin bowling as matches progress.
Gill is already an accomplished Test batter, but this will be his first Test series in Sri Lanka. Adapting to unfamiliar conditions and dealing with the island’s spin threat will therefore be an important challenge.
India’s squad includes several spin options, including Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and debutant Saransh Jain.
Gill’s recent form gives India hope
One major advantage for Gill is his remarkable form since becoming India’s Test captain.
He scored a century in the one-off Test against Afghanistan earlier this year and has continued to establish himself as one of India’s most reliable batters. Recent reports have also highlighted his extraordinary run of centuries across formats.
Gill has also been particularly impressive while batting at No. 4. According to the statistics in the provided report, he has scored 1,065 runs at an average of 88.75 at that position, including six centuries and one half-century.
But Gill has another concern before the first Test
There is also a fitness question surrounding the Indian captain.
Gill suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger during training ahead of the warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI and missed the first day of that match, with KL Rahul leading India in his absence. His availability for the Test series was subsequently being assessed.
That makes his fitness one of the key things to watch before the first Test in Galle.
Can Gill break the record?
Gill certainly has the opportunity, but scoring three centuries in a two-Test series is an enormous challenge. Even matching Sachin and Virat by scoring one century would be a significant achievement in his first Test tour of Sri Lanka as captain.
If Gill can produce a big performance in Galle and continue his exceptional form in Colombo, he could add another remarkable chapter to his rapidly growing Test career.