Shubman Gill's magnificent innings of 269 in the second Test against England in Birmingham has been the talk of the cricket world. However, a viral video has emerged, suggesting that Harry Brook's "mind games" may have played a role in Gill's dismissal, preventing him from potentially reaching a historic triple century.

Gill, who took over the India captaincy from Rohit Sharma, was in sublime form, becoming the first Asian captain to score a double century in England. He also surpassed Sunil Gavaskar's record of 221 at The Oval in 1979 to register the highest individual score by an Indian batter on English soil. He was looking comfortable and set for a big score, with a triple century seemingly within reach.

According to reports, in the second over after lunch, Brook, positioned at slip, engaged in some banter with Gill. While the stump mic didn't pick up the exact words, it is believed Brook made a "triple century" remark, attempting to get under the Indian captain's skin. Gill was seen responding to Brook on a couple of occasions during the over bowled by Shoaib Bashir.

Former England captain Michael Atherton, who was in the commentary box, revealed that Brook's words to Gill were: "290s is the hardest". Atherton also stated that Brook asked Gill, "How many triple centuries have you got?".

Whether it was the pressure of approaching the milestone or Brook's words, Gill lost his concentration. In the following over, he was dismissed for 269, dragging a short ball from Josh Tongue onto his stumps. The dismissal sparked discussions among fans and experts about whether Brook's tactic was a psychological masterstroke that cost India a triple century.

Gill's innings was not only a personal milestone but also a crucial contribution to India's imposing first innings total of 587. He had formed significant partnerships with Yashasvi Jaiswal (87) and Ravindra Jadeja (89), helping India recover from 211 for five. His 269 is the third-highest score by an Asian captain in England, only behind Bill Simpson's 311 and Graeme Smith's 277. It is also the third-best individual score by an Indian batter away from home, following Virender Sehwag's 309 and Rahul Dravid's 270.

While Brook's sledging may have played a role in Gill's dismissal, it shouldn't overshadow the Indian captain's remarkable innings. He displayed composure and skill, dominating the English bowlers and setting up a strong position for his team. He became the first Indian to score more than 250 outside the Indian subcontinent, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record. He was also toying with the attack, switching between sublime and unorthodox shots, and dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground.

Despite missing out on the triple century, Gill's knock will be remembered as a historic one, solidifying his place as a key player in the Indian team. The incident with Brook, however, adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting the mental battles that often unfold on the cricket field.