Sir Donald Bradman’s Test batting average of 99.94 stands as arguably the most unassailable record in cricket history. For decades, it has been considered a statistical anomaly, a testament to a genius far removed from his peers. However, in the ongoing Test series in England, India’s young captain, Shubman Gill, has embarked on a sensational run of form, prompting whispers of the unthinkable: can he, against all odds, threaten “The Don’s” legendary benchmark?
The Bradman Benchmark: A Statistical Everest
Don Bradman’s career average of 99.94 from 52 Tests and 80 innings remains untouched. To put this into perspective, the next highest averages (with a minimum of 20 innings) are in the low 60s. Bradman’s dominance was so profound that even in his farewell innings, where he needed just four runs to average exactly 100, he was dismissed for a duck, leaving the figure at a mystical 99.94. His 1930 Ashes tour of England saw him score an astonishing 974 runs at an average of 139.14, including three double centuries.
Shubman Gill’s Astonishing Start in England 2025
Shubman Gill has taken the cricketing world by storm in the current Test series against England. As of the second Test at Edgbaston, he has showcased remarkable consistency and an insatiable hunger for runs.
- Captaincy Debut and Record-Breaking Form: In his first series as full-time Test captain, Gill has already shattered several records. He began the series with a superb 147 at Headingley.
- Edgbaston Masterclass: At Edgbaston, Gill delivered a career-defining performance. He scored a colossal 269 in the first innings, becoming the highest score by an Indian captain in Tests, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 254 not out. It was also the highest score by an Indian in England, bettering Sunil Gavaskar’s 221. He followed this with a rapid 161 in the second innings, becoming only the second batsman ever to score two 150-plus scores in a single Test match.
- Series Aggregate: With 585 runs in just two matches (four innings) of the current series, Gill is setting a blistering pace. His aggregate of 430 runs in the Edgbaston Test is the second-highest by any batter in a single Test match, only behind Graham Gooch’s 456.
The Unthinkable Challenge: Bradman’s Series Record
While Gill’s current overall Test average is around 42.72 (as of early July 2025, after two stellar performances in England), the direct threat to Bradman’s overall career average is statistically improbable, given the sheer magnitude of Bradman’s numbers over a much longer career.
However, the more immediate and exciting prospect is Gill’s assault on Bradman’s record for most runs in a single Test series. Bradman’s 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes remains the benchmark for series aggregates. With three Tests still remaining in the ongoing series against England, Gill, with his 585 runs, is 389 runs behind Bradman’s iconic record. Given his current form, where he has already registered a double hundred and a century, achieving this feat is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Can Gill Do It? The Road Ahead
Gill’s current form is undeniably Bradman-esque in its dominance. His ability to score big, convert starts into substantial innings, and adapt to challenging English conditions has been exceptional. The mental fortitude to lead the side while delivering such impactful performances with the bat speaks volumes of his maturity.
The remaining three Tests in the series will be a stern test of his endurance, consistency, and ability to maintain this extraordinary run. If Shubman Gill can continue to pile on the runs at this rate, the cricketing world will witness a truly historic assault on one of the game’s most cherished records – Bradman’s unparalleled series aggregate. While breaking the career average might be a dream too far, challenging his series record would be an incredible achievement and a testament to Shubman Gill’s burgeoning stature in Test cricket.
