England has historically been a hostile place for batters of varying capabilities to operate. With gloomy, dark skies and grass-coated pitches, seamers often leave a trail of destruction behind, which the batters are unable to come to terms with. But despite the obvious adversaries, there are a select few who relish the challenge and go on to etch their names in the record books.

Over the years, the cricketing world has witnessed some stellar batting performances from the Indian Test captains. Although Shubman Gill made headlines by slamming his career-best 269 at Edgbaston, there are a few other Test captains who have also managed to make it to this elite list. In this article, we will find out the top five knocks played by an Indian Test captain in England. 

See also: [WATCH] Throwback to young Shubman Gill's old video where he talks about his cricketing ambitions

Shubman Gill's 269 (2025)

Shubman Gill leads the list with a staggering 269 at Edgbaston in July 2025, setting a new record for Indian captains in England, surpassing all previous marks. His 387-ball innings featured 30 fours and 3 sixes, marking his highest first-class score and the highest ever by an Indian in England. Besides, he went on to shatter some more long-standing records, becoming the first Asian captain to score a Test double-century in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions. Spanning over two days, Gill’s knock anchored India’s 587 first-innings total. Gill laid the foundation by sharing a massive 203-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, followed by a 144-run stand with Washington Sundar.

Mohammad Azharuddin's 179 (1990)

Mohammad Azharuddin’s classic innings of 179 against England in the Second Test at Old Trafford in 1990 was the previous-best score attained by an Indian test skipper in England. The record stood for 35 years before Gill's stellar show at Edgbaston eclipsed it. Azharuddin, captaining India, came to the crease at a precarious 57/3 and crafted a vital innings of 179 off 281 balls, including 21 fours and 1 six, steering India to 432 all out, thus preventing the follow-on. He formed a healthy 189-run stand with Sanjay Manjrekar (93) to stabilize the innings, followed by a 112-run stand with Sachin Tendulkar (68), further consolidating the position.

Virat Kohli's 149 (2018)

Virat Kohli's fighting knock of 149 in Birmingham in the 2018 Test series comes third in the list.  Kohli rescued India from 54/2 by scoring 149 off 225 balls with 22 fours and a six. It was a lone, fighting stand as the rest of the top order faltered, navigating swinging conditions against Anderson, Broad, Stokes, and Curran. The innings spanned three sessions; his century came off 172 balls, and his dismissal just short of 150 left India trailing England by 13 runs after the first innings. But it is to be noted that the Indian King was put down on a couple of occasions previously, on 21 and again around 52. The now-retired Indian Test legend cashed in and went on to single-handedly punish the English bowlers. 

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's 148 (1967)

As the record book would have it, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, also dubbed "Tiger," was the first Indian Test skipper to smash a century on English soil. He unlocked this marvelous feat during the 1967 Test series in Headingley. After India was asked to follow on—trailing by a massive 386 runs—Pataudi joined Hanumant Singh at 228/4 in the second innings. They put together a 134-run partnership for the 5th wicket, helping India avoid an innings defeat. Pataudi scored 148 off 348 balls, including 15 fours and a six, in a marathon display under immense pressure. India had suffered from injuries and relied on only three bowlers. Once England had amassed 550/4 declared, Pataudi's knock kept India alive in a seemingly lost cause

Shubman Gill's 147 (2025)

India's newly appointed Test captain seems to be on a roll in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Test series. His knock of 147 against England at Headingly proved to be a stepping stone for a stunning milestone which was to follow in the subsequent Test match. On his first Test as skipper, Gill scored 147 off 227 balls, including 19 fours and one six, to help India reach 471 all out in their first innings. He came together with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, forging a 205‑run third-wicket stand and remaining unbeaten till significant milestones. His century solidified India’s dominant standing on day one—359/3 at stumps—and helped India get to a substantial total. Subsequently, in the process, Gill became the fifth Indian captain to score a century on Test captaincy debut, joining an elite list with Hazare, Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, and Kohli. Unfortunately, his century came in a losing cause as India ended up on the losing side and lost the Test by five wickets. 

Shubman Gill Creates History with 150+ in England Test

On Thursday (July 3), Shubman Gill made history by becoming only the second Indian captain to score 150 or more runs in a Test innings in England. He reached this landmark at Edgbaston in Birmingham during the first innings of the second Test. Gill got to 150 with a single on his 263rd ball.

The first Indian captain to do this was Mohammad Azharuddin, who scored 179 runs in Manchester back in 1990. If Gill scores at least 30 more runs, he will break Azharuddin’s record for the highest score by an Indian captain in a Test in England. So far, only Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid have scored double centuries for India in England. Gill will be hoping to join them.

If he reaches 200 runs, he will be the first Indian captain to score a double century in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia). Right now, Virat Kohli is the only Indian captain with a double century outside India. He scored 200 runs against the West Indies at North Sound in 2016.

Highest scores by Indian captains in Tests in England:

ALSO READ: Wisden reveals current World Test XI: Four indians make the cut

Twitter reactions after Shubman Gill Becomes First Indian Captain to Hit 150+ in England Tests After 46 Years

SHUBMAN GILL BECOMES FIRST INDIAN CAPTAIN TO SCORE 150+ IN ENGLAND IN TESTS AFTER 46 YEARS 🥶🤯
pic.twitter.com/gndfAwfZZd

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 3, 2025

𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 🚨🔥

After 46 long years, an Indian captain finally scores 150+ in a Test in England! 🇮🇳🏏

Shubman Gill – rewriting records, one innings at a time. 💯👑

📷: BCCI #ShubmanGill #GillTheCaptain #TestCricket #TeamIndia… pic.twitter.com/tKmRVDhFgg

— SportsTiger (@The_SportsTiger) July 3, 2025

SHUBMAN GILL BECOMES THE SECOND INDIAN CAPTAIN TO SCORE 150* AGAINST ENGLAND IN ENGLAND 🫡 pic.twitter.com/oNoMtjyWSg

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 3, 2025

🏏 Shubman Gill Makes History in England! 🇮🇳🔥#ShubmanGill has become only the second Indian captain ever to score centuries in both the first and second Test matches on English soil! 🙌

After smashing 147 at Headingley, Gill followed up with an unbeaten 114 at Edgbaston,… pic.twitter.com/OVb41MJuV4

— LocalTak™ (@localtak) July 3, 2025

𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍! 🧱

1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ and counting — Shubman Gill registers his highest Test score. 🤍🇮🇳

He is now the second Indian captain to score 150* in a Test match against England in England. 🫡

An innings worthy of a salute. Take a… pic.twitter.com/az7NveD9Hd

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) July 3, 2025

Shubman Gill becomes the 2nd Indian captain to score 150* in a Test in England. #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND #Testcricket #indvseng2ndtest pic.twitter.com/MUuiVQM248

— Cricket Winner (@cricketwinner_) July 3, 2025

𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍!
150* and counting — Shubman Gill registers his highest Test score. He is now the second Indian captain to score 150* in a Test match against England in England. #ENGvIND #ShubmanGill #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/aEVoYUKPJn

— Sportsdunia (@sportsduniaHQ) July 3, 2025

The tough sport of Cricket has a rich and glorious history, and its legacy has become eternal ever since it was first played scores of years ago. The game and its stakeholders have witnessed several memorable moments over time. This tryst with destiny has aided the British game to come of age and solidify its heritage towards greatness. Fans have grown and stayed loyal courtesy of the positive incidents and the love for their idols, whom they look up to. The players have signified more than just a living being playing the game. They have been ambassadors for the sport and are responsible for its goodwill, brand identity, and authentic image. 

However, richness comes with a price, and just like a coin has two sides, Cricket has dealt with severe moments as well. The second most loved sport in the world has had its share of black days, too. Those distasteful and shocking episodes have hampered and created a massive hole in the glittering history of the game. They are oppositely but equally remembered as the finest moments, and instead threaten the ethics to a great extent. These ignominiously dark sides are a disgrace, and their anchors deserve justice to save the health of the game. 

See Also: Cricketers Who Made History with Guinness World Records

Here is a look at some of the biggest and most significant match-fixing incidents that shook the cricketing world, their history, protagonists, and deep-scale consequences. 

Cronje and Azharuddin: The Match-Fixing Scandal of 2000

The most infamous of all cricket match-fixing scandals dates back to 2000. The Delhi Police charged Hansie Cronje, the then South African skipper, with fixing his side's One Day International (ODI) matches against India in March of that year. Cronje initially denied his wrongdoing, but as evidence accumulated, all the allegations proved true, and he eventually confessed to his part. The other Proteas teammates testified that they had received lucrative offers from their captain to throw the match, bow down to the bookies, and get involved in fixing the game.

Hansie, later, accused Mohammad Azharuddin of introducing the former to the associated bookmaker, and further investigations found the former Indian cricketer guilty as well. Both were banned for life by the ICC and their respective national boards. This uncovered a chain of players involved. Herschelle Gibbs, a prominent former South African player, received a six-month ban for his part in this scandal. Ajay Sharma, a former Indian domestic cricketer and Delhi player, was also banned for life as he was named in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report alongside Azharuddin for having links with bookies and manipulating matches. In September 2014, his ban was lifted by the Delhi district court. Cronje died in a plane crash in 2002, and ever since his death, suspicions of malicious acts and links with the fixing saga loom large over his demise to date.

Pakistan's Spot-Fixing in the UK, 2010

In 2010, Pakistan's cricket team toured England for a test series. During the Lord's match, three players from the touring side, namely Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, were accused of receiving bribes from a bookmaker, and then organising and deliberately performing feats to affect the moments in the match. This included intentional no-balls to hamper the outcome of the game, and the act was categorised as 'spot-fixing'. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the British Crown Court found them guilty and, as punishment, sentenced the trio to jail terms of variable lengths in the UK. The Pakistani players' on-field actions were condemned by everyone from all quarters, and this entire saga took the sporting world by storm. It called for immediate measures to uphold the integrity of the sport.

IPL 2013 Spot-Fixing

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013, a major scandal erupted when the Delhi Police arrested Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on charges of spot-fixing. They were believed to be involved in a syndicate having a history of organising such criminal acts in sports and consequently altering several matches in the IPL. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on its part, handed the trio life bans and ensured free and fair trials to confirm justice for everyone involved.

This incident sent ripple waves across the Indian Cricketing circuit and raised serious questions. Fans subsequently lost faith in the tournament, and the game was frowned upon by many. The Rajasthan franchise was banned for a couple of seasons in 2016 and 2017, following this ominous run of events. IPL cricket regained its credibility gradually over time. A few years back, the Court gave the culprits a clean chit, and that helped them to resume professional cricket.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Fixing Scandal 2013

The MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were banned from competing in the IPL for two seasons - 2016 and 2017. Gurunath Meiyappan, one of their high-profile team officials, was involved in betting and leaking team information during IPL 2013. He was also the son-in-law of the then BCCI president N. Srinivasan. This scandal was the major stepping stone towards institutional reforms in cricket. Various committees were set up and designated to safeguard the integrity of the sport. The Lodha Committee was the primary one among all. An Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) in cricket was also set up by the BCCI to remove any cases of graft from the game. 

Marlon Samuels' Match-Fixing Case 2007

Ahead of an ODI series involving the teams of India and the West Indies in 2007, the Caribbean batter was accused of several dealings with the bookmakers. Recordings of his telephonic conversations with the bookie before the Nagpur ODI were found, and he was charged with sharing the details of the match. This was confirmed after an investigation initiated by the West Indies Cricket Board. Allegations of bribery and match-fixing were levelled against him, and Marlon was handed a two-year ban by the ICC.

John - 'The Bookmaker' 

In 1998, Australian cricketers Steve Waugh and Shane Warne went through a turbulent phase when their names got embroiled in match-fixing. It was discovered that the duo had accepted money from an Indian bookmaker named John to share the pitch and weather information during the 1994-95 season. The news was initially kept reserved within the Australian Cricket fraternity, and when it eventually broke out during the 1998 Ashes series, the players and the Board were reprimanded for their heinous actions. However, the controversy didn't escalate much. The ICC took no further action, and the players were let go after just being fined by Cricket Australia (CA). 

Manoj Prabhakar, 1999, and Ajay Jadeja, 2000

Manoj Prabhakar, a former all-rounder, was banned in 1999 after he showed up at an event organised by the Tehelka News Group. It was on exposing match-fixing events in Cricket. He, however, ended up getting accused himself and banned from playing for the national side by the BCCI. A decade later, in 2011, he was also dismissed from his role as the coach of the Delhi domestic cricket team after he publicly criticised and pulled up the players and selectors.

Also, in the year 2000, Ajay Jadeja, a former stylish Indian all-rounder, was banned by the BCCI for five years for his involvement in match-fixing. The Delhi High Court, though, lifted his ban in 2003, but his cricketing career could never revive. He instead took up commentary and is currently a one.

In a monumental decision, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been ordered to remove former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin's name from the North Pavilion stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal. This also entails that tickets for matches in the future cannot have the name Azharuddin. The directive underscores a wide-ranging move to reset and remedy the recent controversies and administrative issues with the association.

Azharuddin, a one-time HCA president, has also been embroiled in disputes. In October 2023, he was barred from participating in HCA elections because it was discovered that he was still the president of the Deccan Blues Cricket Club, and he was in violation of HCA's regulations against holding dual authority positions within affiliated clubs and the HCA, or even one of the member associations. After the matter went to the Supreme Court looking for court relief, the court refused, and the matter closed off his prospects for an administrative position within HCA moving forward. 

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 36: Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals Full Match Highlights

Azharuddin faced allegations of financial and administrative irregularities during his term as HCA president as well. In November 2023, he was granted anticipatory bail in a case where he was accused of inconsistencies in procurement regarding cricketing equipment and the stadium, exacting some suggested level of formal inquiry to embark on a season where attending HCA matches and using the playing surface whose procurement efficacy was called into question in the general public's attention. These controversies have led to mounting pressure on the association to distance itself from his legacy and take corrective steps toward transparency and governance.

A Shift in HCA’s Legacy and Accountability

The removal of Azharuddin’s name from one of the key pavilions at Uppal Stadium symbolizes a major shift in the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s stance. This is a significant departure from the HCA's original view of Azharuddin, who - after decades of being a celebrated Indian cricketer - will now be associated solely with past match-fixing allegations, as well as recent administrative scandals. By eliminating him from mention altogether now, it seems that the HCA is suggesting a new beginning, which is a likely step toward assuring ethical governance and a clearer notion of accountability.

Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB Match 37 - A Head to Head breakdown

On one hand, the HCA's officials are going to receive some mixed responses to this from fans and former players; on the other hand, they are becoming aware of the importance of ethics in cricket governance. By following Azharuddin's removal with further steps cancelling earlier permissions to use his name, the HCA is not the only association in the country that should reassess which figures it reflects and associates with when its stakeholders and constituents want more transparency and trust.

Cricket is frequently regarded as a religion in India and is far more popular than any other sport, with fans eager to see their favourite players perform well. In the past, fans saw several players involved in issues that shook the cricket community and became global discussion points.

Cricket history has witnessed several incidents involving foreign and domestic players, shaking the sport and becoming a hot topic among millions of cricket fans. Indian cricketers have also been involved in various similar confrontations and scandals. On that point, let us look at the top five controversies in Indian cricket history.

The 2000 Match-fixing story

The match-fixing incident of 2000 shocked the whole cricketing community. The incident occurred during the South African team’s 2000 tour to India when Delhi police overheard a conversation between a bookmaker and Proteas captain Hansie Cronje while listening to criminal discussions. The theme of the talk was match-fixing.

Much to the amazement of the cricketing community, Delhi Police filed a case against Cronje, who later denied the claims. Later, the South African cricket authority established the King’s Commission to investigate, and prominent figures such as the then-Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, Manoj Prabhakar, and famed all-rounder Ajay Jadeja were added to the match-fixing list. According to a dossier presented by the CBI, Mohammad Azharuddin also introduced former South African captain Hansie Cronje to a gang of bookmakers.

Greg Chappell vs Sourav Ganguly

Greg Chappell and Sourav Ganguly had the worst captain-coach conflict in Indian cricket history, and it was undoubtedly one of the worst in Indian cricket textbooks. It all began during India’s tour of Zimbabwe when Chappell urged that Ganguly be dismissed from the Indian test team. He also claimed that Ganguly is neither psychologically or physically prepared to head the Indian squad. Ganguly also criticised himself for recommending Greg Chappell as India’s coach.

Following the Zimbabwe trip, the leading selectors decided to remove Ganguly as captain, and he was eventually sacked from the ODI team as well. The decision to drop Ganguly from the Indian team did not go well with Indian supporters, who burned Chappell’s effigies and protested on the streets. His notorious tenure as Indian head coach ended when the Men in Blue were eliminated from the 2007 World Cup in the group round.

The Monkeygate Incident: Harbhajan Singh vs Andrew Symonds

The controversial clash between India’s reliable spinner, Harbhajan Singh and Australia’s top all-rounder, Andrew Symonds, a.k.a, the Monkeygate incident, occurred during India’s 2008 tour of Australia and is regarded as one of the most significant scandals in Indian cricket history.

The incident saw a confrontation between Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second match at Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia. It reached the point where the tourists chose to withdraw from the trip before the ICC constituted a disciplinary committee to investigate the situation. Next, the committee’s investigation, Harbhajan Singh’s three-match Test suspension was removed, and India won the next Test match.

Also Read: “I’m sure we’re going to be on the same page” – Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli

IPL & Spot-fixing

This controversy shocked millions of cricket fans in India after learning that the Indian Premier League 2013 season had been tarnished by spot-fixing and betting events. Two well-known IPL franchises, the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals, were banned for two years in a row due to their involvement in the betting scam.

On the other hand, the Delhi Police detained three Rajasthan Royals players, S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan, for spot-fixing accusations in the IPL. The team’s owners, Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan, were arrested, and both CSK and RR franchises were suspended for two years. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) closely checks the competition to ensure no such disputes arise.

Virat Kohli vs Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble’s dismissal as head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2017 remains one of the most contentious issues in Indian cricket. Following India’s defeat against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, Kumble was sacked as the team’s head coach. Kumble was asked to resign after only one year as the team’s head coach.

At the time, various publications highlighted conflicts between Kohli and Kumble as the primary cause for his dismissal as head coach. The captain and head coach were apparently at odds, which resulted in the dramatic firing. According to reports, Kohli was contacted when the authorities decided to extend the coach’s employment, but he stated that Kumble’s tutoring made junior players feel “intimidated”.