Yuvraj hails protege Shubman Gill’s ‘unbelievable’ England heroics

Heaping praises on India’s new Test skipper Shubman Gill for his spectacular batting performance that helped the visitors end the recent England tour with a 2-2 draw, former India batter Yuvraj Singh termed it nothing short of unbelievable, especially given the pre-series doubts over Gill’s ability to perform in overseas conditions.

Gill finished the series as the highest run-getter, piling up an impressive 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, with four centuries to his name, and was named India’s Player of the Series by England head coach Brendon McCullum.

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Yuvraj highlighted how his 25-year-old protege, who was also adjudged the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2025 brushed aside the doubts regarding his overseas batting record, leading the team from the front. “There were a lot of question marks over his overseas record. The guy became the captain and scored four Test hundreds. It’s just unbelievable that when you’re given responsibility, how you take it,” he said, speaking to ICC Digital on the sidelines of the ‘50 Days To Go’ Women’s Cricket World Cup event.

Gill, who batted at number four for the first time in Tests during the long series in England, fell just 20 runs shy of Sunil Gavaskar’s long=standing record for most runs in Tests series by an Indian cricketer. “So, very proud of them. I certainly feel it’s a win for us, although it’s a drawn series, because it’s a young team. And it’s not easy to go and play well in England and prove yourself.”

Yuvraj also showered praise on all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for a gutsy, marathon stand to draw the fourth Test in Manchester.

“The moment in the tournament was when India drew the Test series. I’ve never seen, in a very long time, Washington and Jadeja got hundreds and drew a Test match,” he added.

“That speaks volumes. Obviously Jadeja has been there for a long time. But I think Washington Sundar, as a youngster coming into the team, I think it was incredible to do what he did.”

Yuvraj conceded that what made India’s resilient display through the five-Test series all the more remarkable was the fact that they did so in the absence of seasoned veterans in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

“I think it’s just fantastic because I felt when you have a young team going to England, it’s a lot of pressure.

“You’re filling the boots of somebody like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, it’s not easy. I think the guys took it head-on.”

The drawn series saw Gill and Co share the maiden Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.