Shubman Gill completes 3,000 runs in Tests, becomes fourth-youngest Indian to reach the milestone

Gill crosses 3,000 Test runs in Colombo

Indian captain Shubman Gill added another milestone to his growing Test career on Sunday, reaching 3,000 runs in the format during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Gill, who was unbeaten on 13 at the end of the first session, is the fourth-youngest Indian to achieve the feat.

According to reports from the match, Gill reached the landmark in 43 Tests, accumulating 3,004 runs in 77 innings at an average of 43.53, with a strike rate of 61.59. His tally includes 11 centuries and eight half-centuries.

At 26 years and 349 days, Gill is the fourth-youngest Indian to get to 3,000 Test runs, with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar holding the record as the youngest at 23 years and 228 days, a feat he achieved in December 1996. NewsBytes reports that Virender Sehwag is second on the list, achieving the milestone in November 2001 at 26 years and 157 days, followed by Dilip Vengsarkar at 26 years and 263 days. Gill surpassed the previous fourth-place holder, Kapil Dev, who was 26 years and 356 days old when he reached the mark.

Captaincy form continues

Gill's form as captain has been a talking point, with the batsman continuing his productive run with the bat. As reported, Gill has amassed 1,111 runs in 18 innings across 11 matches as captain, at an outstanding average of 74.06, with six centuries and a fifty, and a best score of 269.

NewsBytes reports that Gill, who reached the landmark with a half-century in the match, now has 3,043 runs from 43 Tests at an average of 43.47, including 11 tons and nine half-centuries.

Session of two for India

In the ongoing Test, India won the toss and elected to bat first. The first session ended with India at 88/2, with Gill unbeaten on 13 and Devdutt Padikkal also unbeaten on 11. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the top scorer with 45 off 53 balls, and KL Rahul scored 18 off 33 balls, both falling to Sri Lankan bowlers.

Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain made his Test debut for India, while spinner Kuldeep Yadav missed the match due to a viral illness.