Gill launches India captaincy reign in style with hundred against England

(Sports Correspondent:  Imran Sohail)

Gill, Jaiswal Shine as India Dominate Day 1 Against England at Headingley

LEEDS: India made a strong statement on the opening day of the first Test against England, reaching 359-3 at stumps at Headingley on Friday. Stand-in captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a commanding 127 not out, while Yashasvi Jaiswal dazzled with a brilliant 101.

The highly anticipated five-Test series began with England winning the toss and choosing to bowl. But the decision backfired as India’s top order laid a solid foundation, and the middle order capitalized in style.

Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave India a fluent start with a 91-run opening stand. Rahul scored 42 before edging a delivery from Brydon Carse to Joe Root at first slip. Debutant Sai Sudharsan was dismissed without scoring, caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off Ben Stokes.

India were briefly jolted at 92-2, but the partnership between Gill and Jaiswal restored momentum. Their 129-run stand featured elegant stroke play and confident shot selection. Jaiswal reached his fifth Test century in style, taking just 144 balls and striking 16 fours.

The 23-year-old left-hander has now scored centuries on debut, and in his first Tests in both Australia and England—a testament to his growing stature in international cricket.

Jaiswal eventually fell to a sharp delivery from Stokes, bowled for 101 shortly after tea, leaving India at 221-3. But the aggressive Rishabh Pant kept the scoreboard ticking, racing to 65 not out in a 138-run unbeaten stand with Gill.

Pant’s innings featured trademark flair, including a stunning six off Chris Woakes in the final over of the day.

Gill, meanwhile, reached his sixth Test century—and third against England—off 140 balls, bringing it up with a stylish cover drive for four. At the close of play, he remained unbeaten on 127, just one short of his career-best 128.

India’s performance answered pre-series questions about their transition after the Test retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With younger stars stepping up, India look well-equipped to chase a rare Test series win in England.

The English bowling unit, missing legends James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and with pace duo Jofra Archer and Mark Wood sidelined by injury, struggled for breakthroughs on a good batting surface.

Brief Scorecard: India 1st Innings

• Yashasvi Jaiswal – 101 (b Stokes)

• KL Rahul – 42 (c Root b Carse)

• Sai Sudharsan – 0 (c Smith b Stokes)

• Shubman Gill – 127*

• Rishabh Pant – 65*

• Extras: 24 (B1, LB10, NB7, W1, Pen5)

• Total: 359/3 in 85 overs

• Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-92, 3-221

England Bowling:

• Chris Woakes: 19-2-89-0

• Brydon Carse: 16-5-70-1

• Josh Tongue: 16-0-75-0

• Ben Stokes: 13-1-43-2

• Shoaib Bashir: 21-4-66-0

Both teams and match officials observed a minute of silence before play in memory of the victims of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad.