India's younger cricket audience saw a profoundly moving moment at the Oval, with nostalgia mixed in with the hope for the new era. Shubman Gill, India's vibrant Test captain, had sailed tantalizingly close to overtaking a record that was once considered unbreakable—Sunil Gavaskar's 774 runs in a Test series. While Gill fell short by only a few, amassing 754 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the legendary moment that ensued was one not of numbers but of legacy, respect, and the essence of Indian cricket. Watch here: A wholesome moment between Shubman Gill & Sunil Gavaskar 😍#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/2wYhLiMCAR — Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025 Read also: Asia Cup 2025 Schedule Announced: India vs Pakistan on Sept 14 On the fraught third evening, when India seemed set for a series-levelling battle against England, Gavaskar appeared on the ground not only as a commentator but as a living legend with a message. Approaching Gill in the after-match radiance, he gave him more than words—gifting him a signed cap and a special jersey bearing the "SG" initials, a personal emblem never shared outside his very inner circle. Gill's 754 runs, with an eye-popping average of more than 75, didn't nearly equal Gavaskar's mythical record; they created a new peak—making him the Indian Test skipper with the most runs in a series. The old record, also held by Gavaskar, had stood since 1978/79 but was now Gill's to enjoy. Four incredible centuries, a steady figure at the crease, and the calmness of a budding leader—these were the yardsticks that counted as legends bridged generations Gill’s Journey of Setting Records and Inspiring Others Although Gill's pursuit of the all-time Indian series record fell on a one-off off-day—scores of 21 and 11 short of his goal by 21 runs—the story was already larger than numbers. His 754 runs now not only represent the most by an Indian captain in a series but have also put him in rare international ranks, second only behind Don Bradman for runs in a series by a captain Post-match, the Indian dressing room was abuzz with the pride of a hard-fought campaign. India had given England a daunting 374, finishing on Day 3 with their fast bowlers—most notably Mohammed Siraj—on the front foot, sending opener Zak Crawley back late in the day. The series, irrespective of its final result, has already provided Indian supporters with a new hero and a touching tale of legacy, humility, and respect for one another.