In a series that promised to be a showdown between two titans, it has become a one-man show and the man is Shubman Gill. The young Indian batsman is on a roll of a lifetime in England, scoring runs with an effortless ease that has reminded people of some of the all-time greats who have played the game.

Having played four innings in the current Test series, Gill has already amassed 585 runs, with his scores reading 147, 269, and 161. With three Tests remaining to be played, he is now in touch with one of cricket's most legendary records: Sir Donald Bradman's 974 runs in a single Test series.

Bradman established the standard in the 1930 Ashes, in which he made four centuries, a double, and a triple. His record has stood unblemished for almost a century, an emblem of unparalleled excellence. But Gill's present pace, poise, and flexibility have ignited a hope that he might match or even better it.

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Shubman Gill's remarkable pace in England places him on the verge of shattering one of the oldest cricket records

From doubts about his position in the XI to being compared with legends, Gill's transformation has been astonishing. Previously, he had averaged only 35 in Tests and never registered a century outside Asia. Now, he's being compared in the same sentence with Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and even Bradman.

He has already overtaken Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Ganguly on centuries in England and is only a ton behind Tendulkar's four. With the series to be played at Lord's, Old Trafford, and The Oval grounds, with a history of high-scoring games, the stage is set.

Records are tumbling, and history is calling. Will Shubman Gill see this through and surpass Bradman's mythical figure? Based on his performance of late, cricket lovers across the globe could well be in for the sight of a 94-year-old record being rewritten.

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has spoken about Virat Kohli’s unexpected decision to retire from Test cricket. He confirmed that the decision was completely Kohli’s and that the BCCI had tried to convince him to stay, but Kohli had made up his mind.

Kohli, 36, told the board about his decision four days before officially announcing it on May 12. Ganguly, who shared a good working relationship with Kohli, said the former captain took the call on his own, without any pressure. "As a player, you just know when it’s time," Ganguly said. "People are asking why now. I know the last few years in Tests weren’t great for him, but top players like Kohli always bounce back. I’m sure if he was on the England tour, he would’ve scored runs. But he felt it was time to step away."

Kohli’s retirement surprised many, including Ganguly himself. After already leaving T20Is, most people expected Kohli to play Tests for a few more years. "Everything ends someday," Ganguly added. "Yes, he’s just 36, still fit, still playing IPL and ODIs. But Test cricket is different. At some point, you feel it’s time. I felt the same and retired when I thought it was right."

 

 

 

 

 

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Ganguly also looked back at his own retirement. He left Test cricket at 37 after being out of the ODI team for over a year. Even though he was still scoring runs in 2006–07, the team was planning for the future, and he stepped aside to make way for younger players.

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Kohli’s retirement was first reported by The Indian Express, which also said the BCCI tried to convince him to continue. Like Ganguly, who ended his Test career with a golden duck against Australia in Nagpur, Kohli too walked away on his own terms.

Wisden, the cricketing authority, released its list of the top six greatest Indian Test batters of all time on May 12, 2025, in the aftermath of Virat Kohli’s Test retirement, sparking discussions among fans and analysts. The list recognizes India's illustrious Test cricket batting history and highlights players who have played a defining role in the format with their skill, tenacity, and remarkable achievements. With years of consistency and match-winning performances, each of the six batters stamped their mark in the shortest format of Test cricket everywhere they went.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Leading the list is Sachin Tendulkar, with his 15,921 Test runs in 200 matches at an average of 53.78 that stand unrivalled. Wisden points to his unmatched consistency over a period of 24 years, although he never reached 500 runs in a series or 250 in an innings. Tendulkar's 51 centuries and his ability to overpower attacks across the globe seal his place as India's greatest Test batsman.

2. Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar, with 10,122 runs in 125 Tests, comes second, renowned for his technical wizardry against aggressive pace attacks of the 1970s and 80s. He was the first player to cross the 10,000-run barrier in Tests, an achievement recognized by the BCCI by naming a boardroom '10000 Gavaskar' on May 15, 2025. Gavaskar's 34 centuries and away performances make him an Indian batting trailblazer.

3. Rahul Dravid

Nicknamed 'The Wall,' Rahul Dravid is placed third with 13,288 runs in 164 Tests at an average of 52.31. His marathon innings, like the 270 against Pakistan in 2004, and his performances in India's overseas wins, like the 2001 Kolkata Test, are what set him apart as great. 36 centuries and his unflappable temperament saw him become unstoppable.

4. Virat Kohli

Who retired from Tests on May 12, 2025? He is fourth overall with 9,906 runs in 123 Tests, with 30 centuries. From 2016 to 2019, Kohli was at his peak, made seven double centuries, and was the top batsman in the ICC Test rankings. Kohli was instrumental in changing India's Test fortunes overseas and played an aggressive style of Test cricket and led India to overseas success.

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5. VVS Laxman

Fifth on the list is VVS Laxman, whose 281 in Kolkata against Australia in 2001 isfrequently consideredy India's greatest Test innings. Laxman scored 8,781 runs in 134 Tests, and his wristy class plagued bowlers, most notably Australia. Hisstandsd with Dravid, particularly in comeback victories, are legendary.

Virender Sehwag

Finally, Sehwag rounds out this list with 8,586 runs in 104 Tests, playing a fearless, attacking game. His 319 against Pakistan in 2008, plus two other triple-centuries, demonstrate his dominance and his ability to redefine the Test opening batting role. With an 82.23 strike rate, Sehwag added an extra dimension to India's game when it came to playing Tests.

One of the modern greats of the game, Virat Kohli has drawn the curtain on his illustrious Test career. After 14 years of fierce competition, unmatched consistency, and iconic innings, Kohli announced his retirement from the longest format of the game on Monday. With 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and an average of 46.85, Kohli will be remembered for generations to come.

His intensity, dedication, and thirst for excellence are traits that would make him remembered forever. Kohli was the epitome of India's dominance in Test cricket during the 2010s. As a leader, he took India to the top of the ICC Test rankings and made the team adopt an aggressive mentality. He is also the holder of the Indian record for most Test double centuries by a captain (7), and his highest score of 254* against South Africa is a testament to his capacity to overwhelm good bowling attacks.

In his emotional farewell note on Instagram, Kohli signed off with "#269," denoting his position as the 269th player to represent India in Test cricket. His heartfelt words reflected a deep love for the red-ball game: "There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever."

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Virat Kohli's Complete List of Test Centuries

Virat Kohli’s departure from Test cricket marks the end of a golden chapter in Indian cricket history. From gutsy centuries in hostile conditions to mammoth scores on home turf, Kohli’s contribution to the format is etched permanently in cricketing folklore. His passion for Test cricket and the standards he set will continue to inspire future generations.

In February 2025, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey achieved a remarkable milestone in the history of Australian cricket. During the second Test of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium, Carey set a new record for the highest individual score by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter in Sri Lanka. Australian wicketkeeper-batters with the highest individual scores in Test matches in Sri Lanka:

• Alex Carey
• Ian Healy
• Adam Gilchrist

Alex Carey etches his name in history👏

A batting masterclass as he notches the highest individual score by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter in Sri Lanka.#SLvsAUS #AlexCarey pic.twitter.com/PqpoGWuCeg

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 8, 2025

Australia's Growth in Subcontinent Conditions 

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Australia has had difficult times playing in the subcontinent, generally not being able to come to terms with the spin-friendly wickets of the subcontinent, at least, the slow turning wickets there. However, players like Alex Carey would do their good part in rewriting that script for Australia. Such innings by Carey from Sri Lanka are evidence of how this team is learning to cope with the subcontinent conditions. These performances against tough bowling speaks volumes of the strength gaining in Australia's batting lineup to put a composed performance in the matters involving spin.
The record-breaking knock of Carey is another important moment in Australian cricket. While big names like Steve Smith and David Warner often hog the limelight, contributions by players like Carey are becoming increasingly important for Australian cricket. He would go down in history not just for his crucial moment for the team but for generations of cricketers as an inspiration who will face challenges and adjust to the most trying conditions. It was a lesson in resilience and adaptability in order to achieve success at international levels.

Ravi Shastri Calls for Two-Tier Test System Post MCG Epic

Former India cricket coach Ravi Shastri has reiterated his stance on the need for a two-tier system in Test cricket. Shastri's comments come after the historic Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) drew record-breaking crowds. Over five days, a total of 373,691 spectators attended the match, setting a new benchmark for Test cricket in Australia.

A Test for the Ages

The match at the MCG triumphed in the exciting environment, or world, of cricket lovers, really showing why the classic five-day match is still spectacular. Shastri took to The Australian to point out how amazing Test cricket match was, especially when top teams go head-to-head, proving the game's still doing very well.

"To break crowd records that have stood for nearly a century is a testimony to the fact that when the best teams play, the toughest and best format of the game is still alive and thriving," wrote Shastri.

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Advocating for Two Tiers

The ex-coach really thinks Test cricket needs to change to stay both competitive and appealing worldwide. He came up with an idea for a two-tier system that puts the best six to eight teams in a top division. Teams that do well in the second division could move up, and the teams that aren't performing very well in the top division could be dropped down.

Shastri said you must have the best 6 or 8 teams play in a two-tier system, where teams can go higher or lower based on how they do. He reckons games won't pull in large groups unless the teams playing against each other are really good.

The Five-Day Debate

Shastri was into keeping test matches five days long. He didn't agree with making them four days just to attract more people to watch. He used the silly ending of the MCG test as proof that five days are the way to go. Shastri had his say on whether test matches should be shorter or not during the entire debate.

"The MCG Test is further proof of why we need five days for a classic Test match," he said.

Revisiting the Two-Tier Proposal

In 2016, the International Cricket Council (ICC) came up with a plan to have a two-tier system for Test cricket but a large number of cricket boards didn't enjoy it and said no, so it was completely stopped. Some people didn't like the idea because they thought it would leave out the weaker teams and stop cricket from becoming popular worldwide.

Shastri thinks that if only the top players compete at the highest level, test cricket would be significantly more interesting for fans. This setup means teams in the second tier would really want to do better to move up the rankings.

A Vision for the Future

Cricket's oldest and most impressive form, Test cricket, is currently facing tough rivals mainly those short and quick T20 matche but there's a push to keep it popular and relevant. Shastri threw out an idea to help with this mission, working to keep Test cricket strong as part of a larger plan.

For people who really love cricket, the MCG test that broke records showed the special characteristics that only test cricket can give. Wanting to make sure the fun stays, Shastri wants to introduce a two-tier system to make sure test cricket stays key in the sport for a long time.

England captain Ben Stokes is now the third player in history to reach 200 wickets and 6,000 runs in Test cricket.

This summer, Stokes, who has fully returned to bowling, dismissed Kirk McKenzie for a duck with his third ball in the second innings, achieving his 200th wicket. McKenzie reviewed the decision, but it was confirmed to be hitting the stumps.

Stokes among elite all-rounders

Stokes joins Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis as the only men to reach this milestone. He followed his wicket maiden with two more maidens and took his 201st wicket in his fourth over by getting Mikyle Louis caught behind for 14.

Earlier, Stokes added four runs to his total, bringing his tally to 6,316 runs in Test cricket for England. Gudakesh Motie bowled him in the morning session.

Ben Stokes bowling comeback

Stokes still has some catching up to do. Sobers has 8,032 runs and 235 wickets, while Kallis boasts an impressive 13,289 runs and 292 wickets.

Stokes was born in New Zealand and took his 100th wicket against India in August 2018. His return to bowling after knee surgery has been a significant boost for the England Test team.