Manchester Test : Gill set to break a 19-year-old record for most runs by an Asian in a Test series in England, needing only 25 more to rewrite history.
Gill Eyes Historic Record in Manchester Test : Shubman Gill is on the brink of a historic achievement in the upcoming Manchester Test. With 607 runs from three Tests against England, he’s just 25 runs away from surpassing Mohammad Yousuf’s 631-run record — an Asian batsman’s all-time high in a bilateral Test series in England, set in 2006.
🎯 What’s at Stake in Manchester
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Record on the line: Yousuf scored 631 runs in four Tests at an average of 90.14. Gill, with 607 runs in just three matches, qualifies for potential entry even if India pushes to a fifth Test — although the series wraps up at Manchester.
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Series momentum: After disappointing at Lord’s, India needs a positive result in Manchester to stay alive. A record-breaking performance from Gill could be the catalyst.
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Personal milestone: At 25 runs shy, Gill averaging over 100, this would add another landmark to his extraordinary run culminating in back-to-back centuries and a double-hundred earlier in the series.
🏏 Comparing the Legends
| Player | Series Runs | Tests | Opponent | Year | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Yousuf | 631 | 4 | England | 2006 | 90.14 |
| Shubman Gill | 607 | 3 | England | 2025 | 101.16 |
Gill is already just one Asian — alongside Rahul Dravid in 2002 — to cross 600 runs in England by a player of any nationality. Now he’s aiming to tame records held by giants of the game.
💥 Gill’s Form So Far
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Headingley: Scored a classy hundred (~147) to steady India’s innings before the collapse.
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Edgbaston: Pulled off an astonishing 269 and backed up with another century, repeatedly crushing English bowlers and rewriting captaincy history.
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Lord’s: Though India lost, Gill remained the top run-getter — underscoring his consistency across conditions.
🌟 What Happens Next
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Record pursuit: Gill needs 25+ runs in Manchester to eclipse Yousuf. A century would smash expectations and set a brand-new standard.
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Series fate: India’s resolve is tied to Gill’s form — a big knock could turn the tide in a series-defining venue.
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Legacy boost: Beyond records, a match-winning performance at Old Trafford will bolster Gill’s captaincy credentials and long-term legacy.
🏆 Why This Matters
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Asian benchmark: Surpassing Yousuf’s 19-year-old record places Gill atop an elite list, transcending national brilliance to achieve continental dominance.
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Captaincy credentials: His batting form evidences stride for leadership and temperament – crude metrics of future stardom.
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Test cricket narrative: As India seeks series redemption, Gill’s run-scoring may define the series, securing more than personal glory.
🗣️ Voices from the Field
Former Aussie great Greg Chappell calls Manchester the “biggest examination yet” for Gill — both as leader and batsman.
🔍 Final Thoughts
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Runs to go: Only 25 runs stand between Gill and Yousuf’s all-time record.
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Manchester Test: With Old Trafford as the stage, Gill has the opportunity to leave a landmark legacy.
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Beyond numbers: A record-breaking knock won’t just rewrite stats — it’ll define a phase of Indian cricket, captained by a young leader in full stride.
⚠️ Watch this space: Gill can break this 19‑year‑old record in Manchester and leave Mohammad Yousuf behind, forever rewriting history.