In a match loaded with pressure and the weight of expectations, Shubman Gill produced a masterclass at Edgbaston that may well go down as one of the most technically flawless centuries in recent Test history.
His unbeaten 114 on the opening day of the second Test against England was not just about runs; it was about precision and clarity.
Gill walked out of Birmingham with noise swirling around him. India had been humbled in Leeds, and the press was relentless about team combinations.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
His leadership was already under the watch. But with the bat, he answered every question in the most silent and convincing way possible.
Gill's century sets record for lowest false shot percentage in England
Gill's hundred was not flamboyant; it was not built on luck. It was measured, methodical and statistically the most secure Test century recorded in England since CricViz began tracking false shots in 2006.
Shubman Gill played just 4% false shots on the way to his Edgbaston century - that's the lowest figure for a Test hundred in England since records began in 2006. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/bn0AabPXEl
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) July 2, 2025
He finished the day with a false shot percentage of just 4% - significantly lower than the England average of 12%. To put that in perspective, greats like Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Rahul Dravid and even Steve Smith have never managed a century in England with that level of control.
What is false shot percentage?
Main article: What is considered as a false shot in cricket? Explained how false shot percentage is calculated for batters
In simple terms, a false shot is when a batter edges the ball, misses it or mistimes it. It reflects moments of lost control.
False shot percentage is calculated by dividing the number of false shots by the total number of attempted shots, then multiplying by 100. The lower the number, the more in command the batter was.
Gill played just seven false shots across his innings: two early edges, a few mistimes and nothing after reaching 20. No slogs, no risks. Just classical batting.
Before this series, Gill averaged under 15 in England. But now with 147 at Headingley and this 114* after Day 1 at Edgbaston, he is rewriting that script.
Ravi Shastri, the India coach when Gill made his debut, pointed out the shift. "He's allowing the ball to come to him," Shastri told Sky Sports. "He’s trusting his defence more."
That showed. Gill's 50 came off 125 balls. His hundred took 199 - his slowest ever in Tests. But it was worth every minute for India.
Who held the record before Shubman Gill's masterclass?
Australia's Steve Smith, England's biggest tormentor has never recorded a century on English soil with a false shot percentage below 9%. The previous best? England’s Sam Robson in 2014.
The best by an overseas player was Jacques Kallis with 4.4% in 2012. Gill's 4% now tops them all and his innings was a masterclass in composure and control, just when India needed it most.