When Shubman Gill departed for 11 in the second innings of the final Test vs England at The Oval, it ended his campaign with the bat in the series. The Indian skipper finished with 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.4, a monumental effort in leading from the front.

In doing so, Gill shattered many records in the process. He now has the top Test score for India in England, the top Test score by an Indian captain, the most runs in a Test series in England by an Asian batter, the top score for India in SENA and the most runs for India in a Test series overall.

In doing so, Gill shattered many records in the process. He now has the top Test score for India in England, the top Test score by an Indian captain, the most runs in a Test series in England by an Asian batter, the top score for India in SENA and the most runs for India in a Test series overall.

One record he missed out on was becoming India’s top scorer in a Test series. When he perished in the last outing, he needed another 21 to go past Sunil Gavaskar’s 54-year-old record. Gavaskar made 774 runs at 154.80 vs West Indies in 1971 and it remains the most runs by an Indian in a Test series. It is also the most runs by any batter in a debut Test series.

But there are some similarities between the two brilliant performances that are over 50 years apart. Gavaskar and Gill have several common factors in their 750-plus efforts on foreign soil. They are as of now the only two Indians to score over 750 runs in a Test series. So let’s take a look at what’s common between 1971 and 2025:

Both Gavaskar and Gill scored four centuries in the series. They stood out in the Indian batting and made merry with the runs against what was quality bowling backed by home conditions. To make runs so easily on foreign soil was something truly special.

Gavaskar made 220 in the final Test while Gill hit 269 in the second Test of their respective series. Both batters converted one of their four centuries into a double century which was no mean feat.