Dominant Start by India’s New Leaders in Leeds
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill made a statement few could ignore. On Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley, the two batters drove India to a commanding 359 for 3 by stumps, signaling a new chapter in Indian cricket’s red-ball saga.
What Happened in Headingley
After a couple of quick blows that saw KL Rahul depart for 42 and debutant B Sai Sudharsan get out for a duck, India found themselves wobbling at 92 for 2 before lunch. But the third-wicket partnership between Jaiswal and skipper Gill reshaped the day. Their 129-run stand ground England down.
Jaiswal reached his fifth Test century off 144 balls with a single, while Gill continued his stylish knock past his hundred — his sixth overall and first as captain. He finished unbeaten on 127. Rishabh Pant later joined the party with a fluent 65* as India tightened their grip with an unbroken 138-run stand for the fourth wicket.
At the close of Day 1, the scoreboard and the mood in the Indian camp told the same story: dominance.
Why This Century Pair Matters
The timing of this brace of centuries couldn’t have been more significant. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, attention turned sharply to the younger generation. Could they fill the vacuum? Would they buckle under pressure? At least on Day 1, the response was emphatic.
“There’s a sense of passing the torch,” said one fan outside the ground. “Watching Jaiswal roar and Gill raise his bat as captain — it felt like something big was changing.”
Jaiswal Sets the Tone Early
Jaiswal’s century came with a mix of patience and occasional flair. The left-hander picked his moments smartly, resisting wide deliveries — an area of past weakness — and favoring timing over brute force. His innings included crisp drives and a six off Josh Tongue that briefly woke up the usually reserved Headingley crowd.
- 5th Test century for Jaiswal
- 101 off 159 balls
- First Test innings in England
He did, however, suffer from hand cramps toward the end, but that didn’t stop the celebration — a loud roar and fist in the air when he reached the milestone. It was composure underlined with steel.
Gill Delivers in Leadership Debut
For Shubman Gill, captaincy appeared to bring out the best. He began confidently, racing to 50 in just 56 balls, and anchored the innings with his signature elegance. Off-drives, wristy flicks, and subtle placements marked his innings.
His century — the first as India’s Test captain — came off a smooth boundary off Tongue. It placed him in a list that includes Gill’s childhood idols — Gavaskar, Kohli, Vengsarkar. A bit humbling, perhaps.
- 127* at stumps
- 6th Test hundred
- First as skipper
He did exhibit some nerves in the 90s — a risky single, a loose shot through gully — but held firm. Maybe that’s the burden of firsts.
England’s Brief High Point
England’s bowling looked tired, at times even puzzled. The only flash of relief came just after tea when Ben Stokes produced magic with a ball that beat Jaiswal’s defense. Beyond that, it was mostly toil for Woakes, Tongue, and company.
Field settings changed, plans altered, even the over-rate slowed down — nothing seemed to work. A few near-chances emerged, but none stuck.
Rishabh Pant Brings His Own Chaos
As Gill settled in, Rishabh Pant added flair with 65* off 75 balls, including back-to-back boundaries and a cheeky reverse-sweep that sent the crowd buzzing. His 16th Test fifty also saw him cross 3,000 career runs — quietly efficient, loudly unpredictable.
It’s worth asking: are we seeing a more matured Pant now? He seemed more in control, less dramatic.
What’s Ahead on Day 2
India is poised to press further. With Gill set and Pant dangerous, 500 looks likely. England will need early breakthroughs and probably some luck with the second new ball.
But the bigger story is already unfolding — post-Kohli, post-Rohit — this team is carving bold headlines of its own.
Key Takeaways from Day 1
- India finish Day 1 at 359/3
- Jaiswal scores 101; fifth Test hundred
- Gill makes 127* on captaincy debut
- Rishabh Pant adds unbeaten 65
- England’s bowlers struggle despite early strikes
What This Means for Indian Cricket
New captains don’t always get dream starts. But Gill now has one. And paired with Jaiswal — whose batting seems crafted for the long haul — there’s suddenly less worry about who comes after Kohli and Sharma.
Of course, one innings doesn’t answer everything. Tests are five days, and series even longer. But for now, there’s confidence, reassurance, and a sense that Indian Test cricket has found its new front— rather, top—line.
