Shubman Gill became the first Indian batsman to score a Test double century outside India. He reached this big milestone on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Gill completed his double hundred in the 123rd over after facing 316 balls. His brilliant innings included 23 fours and 2 sixes. Because of his knock, India scored nearly 500 runs by the second session.

Before this, Virat Kohli held the record for the highest score by an Indian Test captain with 254*. He became the Test captain in 2015 and usually batted at No. 4. From 2015 to 2019, Kohli was in great form and helped India reach new heights in Test cricket. But now, Shubman Gill has gone past Kohli’s record, and that too outside Asia, playing on the tough pitches of England.

But in the year 2025, it was not only Shubman Gill who scored a double century. Two more batters also reached this milestone — South African batter Ryan Rickelton and Australian opener Usman Khawaja. Gill scored his double century at Edgbaston yesterday, making 269 runs. Rickelton hit 259 runs in Cape Town against Pakistan. On the other hand, Usman Khawaja scored 232 runs off 352 balls for Australia.

Also Read -'Just Seeing Kohli Made the Opposition Players Tremble...': Veteran Indian Umpire Makes Stunning Revelation

Gill came in to bat at a tough time on Day 1 when India had lost early wickets. But he stayed calm and slowly took control. England had chosen to bowl first, hoping the overcast conditions would help their bowlers. However, Gill stayed focused and built important partnerships with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.

𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 – 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 🔥

Gill in Birmingham 🔥
Khawaja in Galle 💪
Rickleton in Capetown 💥

Who impressed you the most?🤔 pic.twitter.com/86MjOd35BP

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) July 4, 2025

By the second session on Day 2, India had reached a strong total of 537/6. Gill was unbeaten on 251*, and Washington Sundar was not out on 31. Their partnership was still going strong, and Gill looked ready to go for his first-ever triple century before a possible declaration.

England’s bowlers like Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Shoaib Bashir tried hard but could not stop the runs. Woakes took two wickets, and Tongue took one, but none of them could stop Gill once he settled in.

With this amazing performance, Gill not only put India in a powerful position but also showed why he is seen as the future of Indian cricket. He has now become only the sixth Indian captain to score a double century in Test cricket. He joins the elite list that includes Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli, who has seven double centuries.

This is also Gill’s second straight hundred since becoming captain, showing how well he has taken on the leadership role. He is proving himself as a strong performer at the top of the batting order. With this double century, he also broke the long-standing record of Sunil Gavaskar (221) and now holds the highest individual score by an Indian in England in Test matches.

Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja hogged the limelight off-field after Day 1 of the first Test against West Indies in Barbados, refusing to give an interview to radio station SEN. This had nothing to do with cricket, but was a silent protest regarding the dismissal of veteran journalist Peter Lalor a few weeks ago for his pro-Palestinian social media messages.

After the day's play at Kensington Oval, Khawaja was approached by the media manager of Australia, Cole Hitchcock, to conduct a pre-recorded interview with SEN commentators Bharat Sundaresan and Adam Collins. The left-handed batsman declined graciously, ostensibly out of solidarity with Lalor, who has been one of the high-profile voices in Australian cricket reporting.

Khawaja, who has spoken out on matters of human rights, had previously criticized Lalor's sacking. "Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic… it has everything to do with justice and human rights," he posted on Instagram. "Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better."

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] Rohit Sharma reflects on India's unbelievable win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024

Usman Khawaja avoids interview to rally behind fired journalist Peter Lalor

Lalor, meanwhile, reporting on the West Indies series in his Cricket Et Al podcast, valued Khawaja's gesture as a "man of principle" whose endorsement he really cherishes. Khawaja's approach follows a trend of employing his platform for human causes. Throughout the 2023 Test series against Pakistan, he was prevented from wearing shoes with messages such as "All lives are equal" and "Freedom is a human right." Instead, he wore a black armband to make quiet gestures.

In spite of the incident, Cricket Australia won't take action against Khawaja since player interviews with broadcasters aren't compulsory. In cricket, it was a day of action. Australia were bowled out for a paltry 180, Jayden Seales taking a five-wicket haul and Shamar Joseph taking four. There was some initial resistance from Travis Head (59) and Khawaja (47). In reply, Australia's bowlers fought back hard, piling up West Indies to 57/4 at stumps, with Mitchell Starc spearheading the attack.

Though the game is still evenly balanced, Khawaja's off-field stance has brought to the fore larger debates regarding free speech, human rights, and the accountability of public personalities.

Australia’s batting unit is set for a shake-up following their defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, with Marnus Labuschagne’s place under serious threat and Usman Khawaja likely to retain his spot heading into the Ashes later this year.

Head coach Andrew McDonald and the selectors are expected to decide within the next 48 hours whether reinforcements are needed for the upcoming three-Test series in the West Indies. A major talking point is the possible return of 19-year-old Sam Konstas at the top of the order, with Labuschagne’s underwhelming form adding weight to the call for change.

Labuschagne, who was elevated to open for the first time in his Test career at Lord’s, managed only 17 and 22 in the two innings, capping off a disappointing WTC cycle in which he averaged just 27.82. The move was made to accommodate Cameron Green at No. 3, but with Steven Smith nursing a finger injury, Labuschagne may still retain his place, though even that seems far from guaranteed.

"He's missed out on big scores," McDonald said after the final. “We’re confident he can return to his best, and that’s why we keep picking him. But at what point do we stop picking him?” Despite the underwhelming returns, McDonald stressed that Labuschagne remains a key part of Australia's long-term plans. "Anyone who averages 45 or 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. He’s had a positive week in terms of preparation, no harder worker than Marnus, but now it’s really just about the returns."

ALSO SEE: ENG vs IND: Robin Uthappa shares his predicted playing XI ahead of series

Selectors Show Faith in Khawaja, but Labuschagne’s Test Future Hangs in the Balance Ahead of West Indies Tour

In contrast, Khawaja, despite falling cheaply twice to Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s, has earned the selectors’ backing. The veteran opener, who scored a career-best 232 against Sri Lanka just three Tests ago, appears to have the kind of stability and experience the team values, even amid questions around his effectiveness against pace.

“He’s on contract, he’s an important player,” McDonald reiterated. “We like to look at our players at their best… I don’t see an end date for him. He’s still moving well, still training hard, and has runs left in him.” Khawaja is expected to get the same long rope David Warner received during the twilight of his Test career.

Meanwhile, the squad could also see some reshuffling depending on conditions in the Caribbean. Josh Inglis, who scored a hundred on debut, could be considered in spin-friendly situations, while Travis Head may again be viewed as a potential opener on slower surfaces. However, McDonald was quick to emphasise that Australia would look to strike a balance between future planning for the Ashes and adapting to local conditions in the West Indies.

“We haven’t played a Test there since 2015,” he said. “So there’s a little bit of the unknown. But we feel we’ve got a squad that can cover all bases.” Despite the batting concerns, McDonald made it clear that Australia’s shortcomings at Lord’s were not restricted to the top order. “We lost 5 for 20 in the first innings and 7 wickets for not many in the second. That’s 12 wickets for not much. We’re better than that.”

As Australia prepares to begin a new WTC cycle in the Caribbean, all eyes will be on how the selectors respond to the latest setback and whether this marks the beginning of a transitional phase in the batting order.

On the opening day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja etched his name in the record books by claiming an unwanted record. He failed to trouble the scores and faced 20 balls before departing for a duck. In the process, he became the joint-third highest in the list of most balls faced by any Australian opener in a Test innings. The 38-year-old is at par with Sammy Jones, who also was dismissed on a 20-ball duck way back in 1888 against England. 

The record for facing the most number of deliveries without scoring belongs to Australia's swashbuckling three-format opener, David Warner. He faced a galloping 22 balls in a Test series against England in 2022 and agonizingly perished without scoring a single run. Second on the unfortunate list is the now-retired Aussie batter Shaun Marsh, who faced 21 deliveries against India in the 2016-2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series before getting out. 

See also: SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025 Day 1 Recap – Key performances and major highlights

Top four Australian openers who've faced the most deliveries before registering a duck 

Khawaja looked tentative right from the onset of the innings. He never looked comfortable against the moving ball and didn't really move his feet confidently enough to tackle the sharp seam movement. Rabada and Jansen troubled him early doors with the new ball and challenged both edges of the bat. He often found himself caught in the crease on many occasions.

At last, after facing a jaw-dropping 20 balls, Khawaja's innings was put to an end by Rabada, who had him caught at first slip. Coming in from around the wicket, Rabada pitched it around the fourth stump line on a good length, forcing Khawaja to offer a shot. He was tentative with his footwork and got squared up while playing the delivery, resulting in a thick outside edge. Bedingham, in the end, completed the catch and held it really well as it veered in the air on the way to him.

Khawaja's deep decline in form has left many experts, including former Australian cricketers, deeply worried. The 38-year-old endured a difficult time in the BGT (2024-25) series against India, where he averaged just a shade above 20 across 10 innings with only one half-century. Although he did manage to silence his critics in his very next Test assignment to Sri Lanka, where he finished as the highest run scorer averaging an astonishing 147.5 in three innings, his troubles were far from over as he found himself wanting against South Africa in the do-or-die WTC summit clash.

Lord’s, London, June 11, 2025-the World Test Championship Final 2025 erupted into life as South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada produced a blazing double-strike in the seventh over, dismissing Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green. Opting to bowl on grey skies, South Africa relied on their pace spearhead, and Rabada did not disappoint. Removing Usman Khawaja for a 20-ball duck, he edged a length ball that had straightened slightly to David Bedingham in the slips, and four balls later, dismissed Cameron Green for 4. Green nicked an away-shaping delivery to Aiden Markram, leaving Australia on 12/2 in the WTC Final 2025.

Rabada's blistering spell stirred up the Lord's crowd and created a dominating tone for South Africa. The 30-year-old, returning from a doping-related ban, proved his expertise in English conditions, where he has 15 wickets in three Tests at 19.38. His initial successes against a powerful Australian team, who claimed the WTC in 2023, reinforced his big-match player profile and South Africa's aspirations to break a 27-year ICC trophy dry spell.

South Africa's decision to bowl first proved to be a tactical risk that paid off. They came into the match with a pace attack led by Rabada and featuring Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen. Australia was rattled early; now Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will be trying to rebuild the innings, with Labuschagne and Smith at the crease. Given the early seam movement on offer, there is no reason why the match shouldn't offer a fascinating five days' play.

Australia’s Fightback

As time goes on, Australia are 29/2 after 3 overs, with Labuschagne and Smith batting, trying to stop the slide. Rabada’s relentless pressure, backed by Ngidi’s pace, keeps South Africa in control, but we know from Australia's batting depth they are capable of scoring plenty of runs.

Watch the video here

KAGISO RABADA GETTING BOTH KHAWAJA AND GREEN IN AN OVER. pic.twitter.com/tGGGfwYVWV

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 11, 2025

Also Read: SA vs AUS, WTC 2025 Final: Toss result and playing 11s, umpires list and pitch report

The game is in the balance, as South Africa hopes to make the most of their initial control and Australia tries to strike back. With clear skies predicted, the WTC Final is in line for a heart-stopping conclusion, as both sides battle for the coveted mace.

Current Score: Australia 29/2 (13 overs)—Marnus Labuschagne 17*, Steve Smith 5*; Kagiso Rabada 2/9.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is coming under increased scrutiny over what is labelled by many as outright inconsistency in how it handles political expression during sport. The scandal has been rekindled following a stark contrast between how Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja was treated and the move by ICC Chairman Jay Shah.

In December 2023, Pakistani-Australian top-order batter Usman Khawaja, who is a practising Muslim, attempted to make a strong yet understated gesture of peace before Australia's Test tour of Pakistan. He was going to wear boots bearing the slogans "Freedom is a human right" and "All lives are equal", as well as a symbol of a dove. The action was broadly interpreted as an appeal for peace and human rights during the escalating humanitarian situation in the Middle East.

Critics Question ICC's Different Rules for Khawaja and Shah

Still, the ICC held that the message was a political one and banned Khawaja from continuing. Complying, Khawaja avoided using the equipment and instead wore a black armband during the game as a quiet protest. Even so, he was chastised, with the ICC clarifying its stern policy against "personal messages" on playing materials.

Fast forward to 2025, and there is a fresh row taking centre stage. The ICC Chairman and secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jay Shah, in public, endorsed the Indian armed forces during recent tensions at the border with Pakistan. In an Instagram post, later deleted, Shah posted: "Our Defence Forces are our pride, and no words can describe their valour and dedication towards safeguarding our motherland and citizens… Let us come together to salute our heroes and create a united, stronger India."

ALSO SEE: WATCH: Rohit Sharma's epic reply after Ravi Shastri challenges him to hit six in his stand

Shah's appeal was widely seen as a nationalistic show of support in the wake of geopolitical tension, the very kind of sentiment the ICC alleges to prohibit on the field of cricket. The seeming double standard has not passed unpunished. Respected Australian cricket writer Malcolm Conn was at the forefront of the outrage, calling out the ICC for what he described as "staggering hypocrisy." He went to X (formerly Twitter), saying: "So Usman Khawaja is banned by the ICC from placing a dove on his bat in favour of peace in the Middle East, but ICC chairman Jay Shah, the son of India's home affairs minister, can freely endorse the Indian army during war. Staggering hypocrisy."

The remark set off a storm of responses from fans, journalists, and past players, who mostly shared the opinion that the enforcement of the ICC's code seems selective and possibly guided by political or institutional prejudices.

Calls Mount for ICC to Explain Rules in the Wake of Credibility Questions

The ICC is yet to make any public response to the criticism or clarify its stance on Shah's social media post. Critics, meanwhile, say that Khawaja's message had been apolitical and humanitarian, whereas Shah's post was politically and nationally charged, highlighting the inconsistency in ICC's regulatory policy. Fueling the flames is the political pedigree of Shah.

Being the son of India's Home Minister Amit Shah and a key figure in Indian cricket administration, conflict of interest, influence, and impartiality are being questioned at the top level of world cricket administration. While supporters and pundits now urge the ICC to state plainly where it stands regarding political messaging and enforce those standards equally without regard to nationality, religion, or position, for now, the optics of this have left many questioning the ICC's credibility as a neutral global authority.

Australia recorded their highest Test innings total in Asia after scoring 654/6 decl. in the ongoing Galle Test. 

Visitors Australia started their Sri Lanka tour strongly in the two-match Test series, which is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025. Aussie batters completely dominated the first two days of the Test series opener at Galle.

With the help of three centuries, including one double hundred, visitors Australia scored 654/6 before the declaration. In reply, the hosts Sri Lanka scored 44/3 at the stumps on the third day. 

Aussie opener Usman Khawaja scored 232 off 352 balls with 16 fours and one six. Also, the skipper Steven Smith scored 141 off 251 balls (12 fours and two sixes), while the Test debutant Josh Inglis scored 102 off 94 balls (10 fours and one six). 

Australia recorded their highest Test innings total in Asia

Australia’s 654/6 (decl.) was their highest total in a Test innings in Asia. It was their second 600+ Test innings total in Asia, while they previously scored 617 against the hosts Pakistan at Faisalabad in 1980. 

Also, Australia’s 654/6 (decl.) was the fourth-highest Test innings total for any non-Asian team in Asia. 

Usman Khawaja hit a Test double-century

In the meantime, Usman Khawaja became the sixth Aussie batter to record a Test double-century in Asia. 

Josh Inglis recorded a Test debut century

On the other hand, Josh Inglis became the 21st Aussie cricketer to record a Test debut century, and Inglis became the seventh Australian batter to record a Test debut century outside Australia.

Australian batters with Test debut centuries outside home 

Yashasvi Jaiswal is being celebrated as a future star of the cricketing world, not just for Indian cricket. Despite having a short career so far, he has shown tremendous class and temperament. In just 19 Test matches, Jaiswal has an impressive average of 52, with 4 centuries and 10 half-centuries.

Playing in the toughest format, Test cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased his potential during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). He finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the series with 391 runs and was second overall, just behind Australia’s Travis Head.

Read Also: Yashasvi Jaiswal Considered as First Choice Opener for England Series

What made his performances even more remarkable was his consistency on foreign soil. In the same series, several senior Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, struggled to make an impact.

This was Jaiswal’s first Test series in Australia, yet he looked confident and composed. At just 23 years old, he has impressed not only his teammates but also the opposition. Although India lost the series 3-1, Jaiswal’s performances were a big positive for the team.

After the series, Jaiswal shared an Instagram post, reflecting on the learnings from the tour and promising to come back stronger. He thanked everyone for their support, showing humility and determination in his message.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Yashasvi Jaiswal (@yashasvijaisw

Khawaja and Vaughan Praise Yashasvi Jaiswal for His Impressive Performance Against Australia

Australian opener Usman Khawaja commented on Jaiswal's Instagram post, saying, “Love your work, brother,” showing his appreciation for Jaiswal’s performances as an opponent.

Even former English cricketers and commentators, including Michael Vaughan, who was part of the commentary panel on Fox Cricket during the series, praised Jaiswal. Vaughan described him as "a joy to watch," highlighting his impressive skills and temperament on the field.

Such compliments from international players and experts show how much Jaiswal has made an impact early in his career, earning respect from across the cricketing world.

The opening day of the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Sydney Test, has experienced one unusual incident on the ground as the Australian opener Usman Khawaja was the only player to wear a black armband. The reason for it has been revealed later.

Former South African international cricketer Ashwell Prince lost his wife, Melissa Prince, at the age of 40 years after a cancer battle. In respect of the tragedy, Khawaja wore a black armband.

Khawaja and Prince were teammates in the English County cricket

Khawaja and Prince played together for the English county side Lancashire in the 2014 season, when Lancashire returned to Division 1. Both had some great time with the bat in that County season.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5)

Also Watch: Jasprit Bumrah verbal fight with Sam Konstas in final over of first day of Sydney Test

Usman Khawaja was out on the last ball of the day

Coming back to the Sydney Test, India were all out for 185 runs in the first innings after choosing to bat first. While the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma decided to drop himself in the playing XI, Jasprit Bumrah is taking the leadership role as a stand-in captain. Despite the overcast conditions, Bumrah chose to bat first to avoid the fourth innings batting challenge. Only the Indian wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant managed to reach the 30-run mark in the innings as the left-handed batter scored 40 off 98 balls.

In the tricky last 15 minutes of the day, Australian openers Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja had to survive, but Khawaja lost his wicket on the final ball of the day as he fell in Japsrit Bumrah's delivery while his outside edge found the slip fielder KL Rahul. The opener was dismissed for only two runs as Australia ended the day at 9/1. 

The 38-year-old Aussie opener Khawaja is struggling in the ongoing Test series as the left-handed opening batter has scored 143 runs in nine innings with an average of 17.87. Apart from one half-century in the first innings of the Melbourne Test, Khawaja hasn't reached the 25-run mark again. 

Beau Webster Set to Step in for Mitchell Marsh in the 5th Test Against India

Starting January 3, 2025, the Sydney Cricket Ground is going to be extremely busy because Australia is getting ready to face off against India in the fifth and vitally key test. The team is bringing in a new man, Beau Webster, for his first test game ever, and he's taking over for Mitchell Marsh. This change is very big news.

Since Australia is ahead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with a 2-1 lead, they're excited and ready to snatch their first series win in India in more than ten years.

“Beau’s story is a great one of resilience… I think he’ll have the backing of an entire state over the next five days”

Terrific to chat with some of those closest to Beau Webster ahead of his Test debut tomorrow.@TheMercurySport

STORY ➡️ https://t.co/l0QcRp9yPT pic.twitter.com/yflVqciAal

— Ryan Rosendale (@RosendaleRyan) January 2, 2025

Why Mitchell Marsh Is Out

The selectors saw that Mitchell Marsh wasn't doing too well in the series, only scoring 73 runs and not doing much with his bowling. They think this is a good opportunity for Beau Webster to step in and display his abilities at the international level.

Pat Cummins, our captain, said Mitch Marsh is still vitally important for the team, especially when we are discussing the short games but he also mentioned that adding Webster to the team will make things better. And he made sure everyone knew this is not farewell for Marsh in test cricket at all.

ALSO READ:Pat Cummins Reveals Australia’s Strategy to Tackle Jasprit Bumrah in Sydney Test

Spotlight on Beau Webster

Beau Jacob Webster has been making waves in domestic cricket, which earned him this debut. His versatility is a huge asset, as he bats right-handed and can bowl both off-spin and medium pace.

Domestic Career Highlights

Webster achieved it in the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield season, making him the second individual ever to hit more than 900 runs and take 30 wickets in just one season. Playing for Tasmania in the local games, he's also been doing really good for the Melbourne Stars in the Bash league.

First-Class Career Stats

Matches: 93

Runs Scored: 5,297

Batting Average: 37.83

Centuries/Half-Centuries: 12/24

Wickets Taken: 148

Bowling Average: 37.39

Best Bowling Figures: 6/100

Webster's all-around skills and impressive form make him a perfect fit for this high-pressure match against India.

Australia's Squad for the 5th Test

Most of the squad remains unchanged, with Webster being the only newcomer. The confirmed playing XI is:

Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland