It was the kind of moment that makes you shake your head — a mix of brilliance undone by a split-second mistake. Shubman Gill, who has been India’s rock throughout the series, was involved in a bizarre run-out that left even the calmest cricket fans stunned. On Day 1 of the fifth Test against England at The Oval, Gill threw his wicket away in a moment of pure misjudgment — and former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting didn’t hold back, calling it a “disaster” for India.
Rain Break, Then Steady Start… Until It Wasn’t
After a rain delay, Gill and young Sai Sudharsan returned to the crease with confidence. The pitch had a tinge of green and was offering some movement, but both batters looked solid and untroubled. India had weathered the early storm — or so it seemed.
Then came the second ball of the 28th over. Gus Atkinson pitched it up, and Gill met it with a classic forward defensive stroke. Nothing unusual. Until what followed.
A Moment of Madness: No Run There, Yet He Ran
What should have been just another ball in the over turned into a nightmare. For reasons known only to him, Gill suddenly set off for a run. The ball had barely gone a few feet, well within reach of the bowler. Sudharsan instinctively took a step and quickly raised his hand, signaling there was no run. But it was too late.
Gill had already committed. The wet ground didn’t help — he slipped trying to turn back. But even if he hadn’t, he was a long way down the pitch.
Atkinson, alert and composed, sprinted across, picked up the ball cleanly, and knocked down the stumps with ease. Gill was nowhere near the crease.
Ricky Ponting Reacts: “That’s a Disaster”
The reaction from the commentary box was instant.
“That’s a disaster for India,” Ponting said bluntly.
“There was never a run there. Atkinson had all the time in the world to gather and hit. On a pitch like this, it’s the last thing you want as a batter.”
Gill didn’t protest. He glanced back at Sudharsan — maybe searching for reassurance, maybe just stunned — and then walked off without a word, having scored 21 runs.
A Silver Lining: Gill Breaks Gavaskar’s Record
Despite the disappointment, Gill achieved a significant personal milestone. He broke Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most runs by an Indian captain in a bilateral Test series. Gill now has 743 runs*, surpassing Gavaskar’s 732 against the West Indies in 1978–79.
But for Gill, that might offer little comfort right now.
India in Trouble As Rain Returns Again
Shortly after Gill’s dismissal, the rain returned. India were 85 for 3, with Sudharsan unbeaten on 28 and Karun Nair yet to get off the mark. What was shaping up to be a steady rebuild turned into a setback that could change the complexion of the match — and possibly the series.
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