The recently concluded five-match India vs England Test series witnessed a flood of centuries. Batsmen from both teams delivered standout performances with the bat. This scoring spree brought the series within touching distance of breaking a 70-year-old world record for most individual centuries in a Test series. The benchmark was set during the 1955 series between Australia and West Indies, which saw 21 centuries. That number was equaled during the latest series, but not surpassed.

Indian captain Shubman Gill led the way with unmatched consistency. He emerged as the top run-scorer and top centurion of the series. His phenomenal batting form positioned him among legendary names like Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar. The series was not only high-scoring but also historically significant. It showcased the depth of batting talent in both teams and highlighted the shift in modern Test match dynamics.

Historic Century Mark Almost Broken

Over the course of the five-match Test series, batsmen from India and England combined for 21 individual centuries. Indian players contributed 12 centuries, while England’s batters added 9 more. This total matched the long-standing world record created in 1955, when Australia and West Indies also produced 21 centuries across their series.

That 1955 series had remained untouched for decades, until now. The India-England contest joins it at the top of the list for most centuries in a Test series. Close behind is the 2003-04 series between West Indies and South Africa, which saw 20 centuries. These numbers reflect the evolution of Test cricket into a more aggressive, batting-dominant format.

Shubman Gill: Leading From the Front

Shubman Gill had a series to remember. As India’s captain, he scored four centuries, finishing as the highest run-getter across both teams. His dominance at the crease placed him alongside cricketing legends. Only Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar had previously scored four centuries in a single Test series as captains.

Gill amassed 754 runs across 10 innings, averaging 75.40. His elegant strokeplay, temperament, and ability to convert starts into big scores set the tone for India’s batting success. With this effort, he climbed to the second spot in the list of most runs by a captain in a single Test series. The top position is still held by Bradman, who scored 810 runs in the 1936-37 Ashes series against England.

Gill’s century tally also reflects his maturity as a leader. His ability to deliver under pressure in multiple matches helped India maintain momentum throughout the series. His form has now raised expectations as India prepares for upcoming ICC events.

Joe Root Stands Tall for England

While Shubman Gill grabbed headlines, England’s veteran batsman Joe Root played a crucial role in keeping his side competitive. Root scored three centuries in the series, ending with 537 runs at an average of 67.12. His final century, scored in the second innings of the fifth Test, was the 21st century of the series—which helped equal the world record.

Root’s consistency reaffirmed his reputation as England’s most dependable red-ball batsman. His calm approach and adaptability across different conditions proved essential in challenging Indian bowlers. Root’s century in the final Test also came at a crucial time when England was fighting to avoid a series whitewash.

His performances ensured England had individual moments of brilliance, even though they could not clinch the series.

KL Rahul and Jaiswal Provide Stability

India’s top order remained in firm control throughout the series. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal both scored two centuries each. Their contributions were vital in giving India solid starts and ensuring pressure stayed on England. Jaiswal, in particular, impressed with his fearless approach, converting attacking shots into long innings.

Rahul’s experience in anchoring innings helped India build from strong foundations, while Jaiswal’s flair and aggression provided the necessary acceleration. The pair complemented each other well, allowing the middle order to capitalize on strong starts.

Their centuries also ensured that India maintained a dominant position in most sessions.

Rishabh Pant’s Impact Before Injury

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant also struck two centuries during the series. Known for his aggressive style and unorthodox strokeplay, Pant played two crucial knocks. His centuries came in high-pressure situations, helping India recover from tricky positions.

However, Pant could not participate in the final Test due to an injury. Despite his absence in the series’ climax, his earlier contributions played a significant role in India’s success. His quick runs in the middle order helped shift momentum and kept England’s bowlers under pressure.

His injury remains a concern for India moving forward, but his form this series reaffirmed his place as a key player in the lineup.

England’s Harry Brook Shines Again

Among England’s standout performers, Harry Brook once again demonstrated his class. He scored two centuries, showcasing technical skill and mental toughness. Brook’s innings were among the few consistent phases of resistance from England’s batting order.

His ability to tackle spin and pace alike made him a bright spot in an otherwise mixed English batting display. Brook’s rising stature as a dependable Test batter continues to grow, and this series added more strength to his reputation.

Other Century Makers in the Series

The series also saw several players scoring individual centuries, contributing to the overall record. For India, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar each scored a century. Both are known more for their all-round capabilities, but their performances with the bat were equally important.

Jadeja’s century came at a time when India needed lower-order resistance. Sundar’s ton added depth to India’s already strong batting lineup. Their innings highlighted the value of having reliable batsmen in the tail-end of the order.

On the England side, captain Ben Stokes, opener Ben Duckett, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, and Ollie Pope also registered individual centuries. Their knocks came at different points in the series and helped England avoid complete collapses in certain matches.

Each century added layers to the series narrative and helped push the century count closer to the historic benchmark.

A Series for the History Books

This India vs England Test series will be remembered for its batting brilliance and record-equalling feats. Equaling a 70-year-old record is no small achievement. It speaks to the evolving nature of modern Test cricket, where batsmen are taking more responsibility and adapting to different match situations with confidence.

The pitches, while not overtly batting-friendly, offered enough opportunity for skilled batsmen to capitalize. The balance between bat and ball remained, but the mental application and shot selection of top-order players made the difference.

Shubman Gill’s rise as a dependable captain and premier batsman is the standout storyline. Alongside contributions from Rahul, Jaiswal, Pant, and others, India showcased depth and balance. England, despite not winning the series, found positives in the form of Root, Brook, and emerging names like Jamie Smith.

The Road Ahead for Both Teams

India’s commanding performance in this high-profile Test series positions them well for upcoming international events. Their batting lineup appears stable, with multiple players in form. Shubman Gill’s growth as a leader also provides hope for a seamless transition into the next era of Indian cricket.

For England, the lessons are clear. While individual brilliance existed, team consistency was lacking. Their bowlers struggled to contain India’s batters for long spells, and collapses at crucial moments cost them matches. However, the emergence of young talents offers hope for better future outings.

With both sides gaining experience and clarity from this intense contest, cricket fans can look forward to exciting future encounters.

The 2025 India vs England Test series will be remembered not just for its competitiveness, but also for matching a historic record. Twenty-one centuries across five matches is a rare occurrence in Test history. It reflects the batting quality, endurance, and tactical evolution in modern red-ball cricket.

Shubman Gill’s heroics defined the series. His batting prowess and leadership under pressure made this a landmark campaign for Indian cricket. As India builds on this momentum, the team seems ready for bigger challenges ahead.