The much-anticipated India vs England Test series kicked off in grand style at Headingley, Leeds, as Team India delivered a commanding batting performance on Day 1. Under the new leadership of Shubman Gill, India finished at an imposing 359 for 3, setting the tone for what could be a defining series.
A Confident Start to India vs England
India won the toss and chose to bat first on a pitch that looked tailor-made for batting. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave India a strong start, adding 91 runs for the first wicket. Rahul looked steady, contributing 42 runs off 78 deliveries with 8 boundaries before being dismissed by Brydon Carse just before lunch.
However, the joy was short-lived for debutant Sai Sudharsan, who lasted only four balls and was sent back for a duck by Ben Stokes. India was briefly rattled at 92 for 2, but it opened the door for skipper Shubman Gill to walk in and anchor the innings.
Jaiswal’s Grit, Gill’s Grace: India vs England Momentum Swings India’s Way
Post-lunch, the visitors seized complete control of the India vs England encounter. Yashasvi Jaiswal continued to impress, showcasing his natural strokeplay while being cautious when needed. He reached his fifth Test century in style, scoring 101 runs off 158 balls, with 16 fours and one six. This century was particularly special as it was his first Test hundred in England, making him the first Asian opener to score a century at Headingley.
Alongside him, Shubman Gill played with incredible calm and class. He provided solid support and steadily worked his way to a half-century. Their partnership flourished, producing 129 vital runs for the third wicket and taking India comfortably past the 200-run mark by Tea, when the scoreboard read 215 for 2.
Evening Brilliance: Gill’s Captaincy Hundred and Pant’s Fireworks
After Tea, Ben Stokes once again provided a breakthrough for England by dismissing Jaiswal with a terrific delivery that bowled him for 101. But any hopes England had of a comeback were short-lived as Rishabh Pant stepped in and immediately made an impact, smashing a huge six off Stokes on just the second ball he faced.
Shubman Gill, on the other end, continued to shine. He reached his maiden century as India’s Test captain, scoring an unbeaten 127 off 175 balls. His century included 16 fours and one six, and at just 25 years and 285 days, he became the youngest Indian to score a hundred on captaincy debut, and notably, the first Indian to do so in England.
By stumps, Pant had raced to an unbeaten 65 off 102 balls, which featured six boundaries and two sixes. Together, Gill and Pant added an unbroken 138-run partnership for the fourth wicket. India ended the day with a massive score of 359 for 3 in this opening battle of India vs England.
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England Bowlers Struggle in India vs England Clash
England’s bowlers toiled hard but failed to make consistent breakthroughs. Ben Stokes was the most successful, picking up 2 wickets for 43 runs from 13 overs, including the scalps of Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Brydon Carse claimed the wicket of KL Rahul and finished with figures of 1 for 70 in 16 overs. However, the rest of England’s bowling attack went wicketless: Chris Woakes gave away 89 runs in 19 overs, Josh Tongue conceded 75 in 16 overs, and Shoaib Bashir went for 66 runs in 21 overs without a breakthrough.
Records and Milestones from Day 1 – India vs England
Day 1 of the India vs England Test saw multiple records tumble. Shubman Gill became the youngest Indian and the fourth overall to score a century on Test captaincy debut. His 127 not out is also his highest score in England.
Yashasvi Jaiswal recorded his fifth Test century, third against England, and first on English soil. He became the first Asian opening batter to score a hundred at Headingley, a venue known for its tough batting conditions.
Rishabh Pant achieved a personal milestone by completing 3000 Test runs and, in the process, overtook MS Dhoni to become Asia’s most successful wicketkeeper-batter in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations.
India’s total of 359 for 3 is now their highest-ever first-day total in a Test on English soil and the third-highest overseas Day 1 total in their history.
Final Thoughts: A Statement of Intent in India vs England Test Series
The first day of the India vs England Test series was more than just runs on the board — it was a statement. Under Shubman Gill’s fearless leadership, the Indian team played with purpose, pride, and precision. With the top order firing and key players delivering record-breaking performances, India has taken the upper hand in this marquee series.
As Day 2 awaits, England finds itself in a tough spot, and India, led by a new skipper and inspired batting, looks determined to script a historic series win on English soil.
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