Ricky Ponting called India’s situation disastrous after Shubman Gill was run out for 21 on Day 1 of the fifth Test against England at The Oval.
Shubman Gill’s Costly Run-Out Highlights Cricket’s Harsh Realities
Cricket is often called the great leveller, and Shubman Gill experienced that firsthand on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval. Despite a brilliant series full of record-breaking performances, Gill’s innings ended prematurely due to a reckless run that left many scratching their heads.
After the rain delay in the second session, Gill and Sai Sudharsan looked comfortable against a challenging, greenish pitch offering uneven bounce. However, disaster struck in the 28th over when Gus Atkinson bowled a fuller-length delivery that Gill defended well with a solid stride forward—just as he had consistently done throughout the series.
What happened next was unusual and costly. Gill suddenly sprinted for a risky single while the ball was still within Atkinson’s reach. Sudharsan quickly signaled him to return, but Gill was already too far down the pitch. Slipping slightly on the damp surface didn’t help, and Atkinson’s sharp fielding saw him throw down the stumps, catching Gill well short of the crease.
Though frustrated, Gill accepted the dismissal without protest. Both players knew there was no run available, making the attempted dash a needless gamble that could impact the match’s outcome. This moment served as a stark reminder that even the best can be undone by a momentary lapse in judgment.
Shubman Gill runs himself out, Ponting calls it a disaster
Chris Woakes strikes! 🔥
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2025
KL Rahul chops on and departs for 14.
🇮🇳 3️⃣8️⃣-2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/j2MvIVv1IO
Legendary Australia captain Ricky Ponting described Shubman Gill’s run-out on Day 1 at The Oval as a “disaster” for India. “There was no run there at all. Atkinson was alert to it, gets there quickly, has all the time in the world to steady himself and bang. That’s the last thing you need as a batter on such a wicket,” Ponting said during commentary.
Gill departed after scoring 21 runs but not before achieving a remarkable milestone. He broke Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most runs by an Indian captain in a bilateral series, accumulating 743* runs and surpassing Gavaskar’s 732 runs against the West Indies in 1978/79.
Shortly after Gill’s dismissal, rain returned, halting play with India at 85 for three, with Sai Sudharsan unbeaten on 28 and Karun Nair yet to score.
