Kolkata, November 12, 2025 – India's Test captain, Shubman Gill, stands on the cusp of achieving multiple significant milestones as the team prepares to face South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens starting on Friday. The series is a part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.
Gill, who has been in exceptional form, is just 161 runs away from reaching 3,000 runs in Test cricket. In his 39 matches so far, the right-handed batsman has scored 2,839 runs at an average of 43.01, including 10 centuries and eight fifties. His highest score remains a career-highlighting 269. In 2025 alone, Gill has amassed 979 runs in 15 innings, averaging an impressive 69.92 with five centuries and a half-century.
Furthermore, Gill is also nearing a remarkable feat in the World Test Championship. He needs just 54 runs to become the first player in the world to score 1,000 runs in the current WTC cycle. So far, Gill has played seven Tests in the WTC, accumulating 946 runs with five centuries and one fifty. Overall in the WTC, Gill has scored 2,839 runs and is on the verge of becoming the first Indian to reach 3,000 runs in the competition. He is currently India's highest run-scorer in the WTC and holds the record for the most centuries.
In addition to these milestones, Gill has the opportunity to break Sunil Gavaskar's record to become the fastest Indian captain to score 1,000 runs in Tests. Gill has scored 946 runs in 13 innings across seven Test matches as captain. If he scores 54 runs in the series opener, he will surpass Gavaskar, who reached the milestone in 15 innings.
Another record within reach for Gill is Virat Kohli's record for the most Test centuries by an Indian captain in a single year. Gill has already scored five centuries in seven Test matches as captain this year, equaling Kohli's record from 2017 when he scored five centuries in 10 Tests. If Gill scores at least one century against South Africa, he will break Kohli's record. Two more centuries would see him level Sachin Tendulkar's record of seven tons in a calendar year, achieved in 14 Test matches.
India enters the series with strong red-ball form, following a home win against the West Indies and a drawn series against England. Gill's leadership and batting prowess will be crucial as India aims to strengthen its position in the ICC World Test Championship campaign. India is currently placed third in the WTC 2025-27 standings with a points percentage of 61.90.
The return of Rishabh Pant has bolstered the team's middle order. The team will rely on their top order to counter South Africa's pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada. India will also look to utilize their spin attack, hoping that a combination of spin, low bounce, and reverse swing will trouble the South African batsmen.
Mohammed Siraj emphasized the importance of the series for the new WTC cycle, especially considering South Africa is the defending champion. He expressed confidence in the team's form and positive environment, built from their performances in England and against the West Indies.
As Shubman Gill prepares to lead India against South Africa, he carries the hopes of a nation and the weight of several looming milestones. The first Test in Kolkata promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Gill's performance under the spotlight.
