On a gripping opening day of the fifth Test at The Oval, Shubman Gill’s unexpected run-out became the major talking point—and not for the right reasons. Former India opener and noted commentator Aakash Chopra labelled it a “game-changing” moment, underscoring how a moment of misjudgement from the in-form Indian captain could potentially alter the momentum of the match.

Gill, who has been the backbone of India’s batting throughout the series, was dismissed for just 21. His exit came in a fashion that raised eyebrows and evoked disappointment from former cricketers. After defending a delivery, Gill suddenly called for a quick single, a decision that caught his partner, Sai Sudharsan, off guard. Sudharsan stayed put, and Gill, despite a desperate dive, fell short of his crease.

Aakash Chopra, dissecting the incident on his YouTube channel, didn’t hold back. “That run-out was absolutely suicidal,” he remarked. “Gill made the call after playing a defensive shot, which simply wasn’t on. In such cases, the person who misreads the situation usually pays the price—and rightly so, it was Gill this time.”

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He further pointed out that while partnerships require mutual trust and awareness, this particular lapse rested squarely on the skipper’s shoulders. “If Sudharsan had taken off, he would’ve been run-out for no fault of his own. Gill’s decision was clearly ill-timed,” Chopra explained.

What makes the moment more painful for Indian fans is Gill’s stellar run in the series. The 25-year-old had recently broken Sunil Gavaskar’s iconic record of 732 runs in a single Test series by an Indian captain, taking his tally to an impressive 743. A needless dismissal like this, especially in such rich form, sparked frustration among pundits and supporters alike.

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Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim echoed Chopra’s sentiments during his analysis on Sony Sports. “It was a classic brain fade,” Karim said. “Gill, being both the captain and a seasoned batter now, should have exercised better judgment. Sudharsan did the right thing by not responding—it’s far too early in his Test career to gamble like that.”

At stumps, India found themselves at 204 for 6, with Gill’s misjudged dash standing out as a moment that could linger in the post-match analysis.