India vs England 1st Test: Shubman Gill, Jaiswal Hundreds Put Visitors on Top After Day 1 at Headingley

Jun, 24 2025

Gill and Jaiswal Make England Sweat at Headingley

India’s opening day at Headingley was all about dominance and intent—the kind England rarely see from visitors on their own turf. By the end of play, India stood tall at 359 for 3, leaving the hosts searching for answers in a stadium known for its tricky conditions.

Yashasvi Jaiswal wasted no time making a statement. He and KL Rahul got India off to a smooth start, putting together 91 hard-fought runs. Rahul’s 45 was workmanlike, seeing off early movement from Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse. But the real fireworks came from Jaiswal. The left-hander reached three figures with his typical exuberance, mixing caution with aggression, and punching any loose deliveries to the rope. That century wasn’t just a personal milestone—it set the tone for the rest of the Indian batting order.

Yet, as it often happens in Test cricket, things turned quickly. England captain Ben Stokes, leading attack as well as strategy, found the breakthrough late, dismissing Jaiswal for 103. Debutant B Sai Sudharsan, under immense pressure, had little chance to settle before falling for a four-ball duck—another reminder that Test cricket spares no one. When Rahul’s wicket tumbled, India looked briefly vulnerable. That’s when Shubman Gill stepped up.

Gill and Pant’s Unbeaten Stand Lifts India

Gill’s unbeaten knock of 127 was the backbone of India’s day. As wickets fell, he showed supreme composure—leaving, defending, and attacking only when the time was right. England’s pacers tried everything, cycling through lengths and lines, but Gill rarely looked troubled. His confidence grew with every back-foot punch and elegant drive.

The real boost came with Rishabh Pant’s arrival. Vice-captain now, Pant played with his trademark flair, racing to 65 not out by stumps. The duo’s partnership—already worth 105 runs—turned things back in India’s favor and ensured the visitors were never on the back foot for long.

The rest of India’s lineup held enough firepower, with names like Karun Nair, Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur yet to walk in. England cycled through options, but their only reward apart from Stokes’ wicket came from Josh Tongue’s persistent seamers. England’s attack looked flat, with conditions offering little help and the ball softening quickly after 40 overs. Stokes returned figures of 1 for 26, a lone bright spot on an otherwise challenging day in the field.

• India’s top four: Jaiswal, Rahul, Sudharsan, Gill—each held different stories of promise and pressure.
• England’s fielders kept energy high but failed to create enough chances, and most deliveries were handled with ease.
• Both teams went in with strong lineups. India featured big names while England entrusted youth like Shoaib Bashir and Brydon Carse.

The Headingley pitch stayed largely true, with enough carry early on but flattening out by early afternoon. With Gill unbeaten and Pant still at the crease, India will aim to bat England completely out of the game on Day 2. For now, it’s advantage India, with India vs England grabbing all the attention in world cricket.