India stamped their authority on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley, closing at a commanding 359/3. It was a day dominated by the bat, with centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Shubman Gill, who led from the front in his first match as Test captain.
A Solid Start, Then a Quick Double Blow
England won the toss and opted to bowl first under overcast conditions. India’s openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal responded confidently, putting on a 91-run stand. The duo looked settled, punishing anything loose and rotating strike smartly.
However, England struck twice in quick succession just before lunch. KL Rahul was the first to fall, edging a wide delivery from Brydon Carse to Joe Root in the slips for 42. One run later, debutant Sai Sudharsan perished for a duck, feathering a leg-side delivery from Ben Stokes to the keeper — a soft dismissal that gave England some momentum heading into the break.
Right before lunch, Ben Stokes delivers! 👊
Sai Sudharsan goes for a duck on debut 🦆
🇮🇳 9️⃣2️⃣-2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/gxGpeTaAlP
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 20, 2025
Gill Leads From the Front, Jaiswal Hits Maiden Century in England
Shubman Gill, batting at No. 4, walked in with the score at 92/2 and immediately brought calm to the crease. Timing the ball sweetly and rotating the strike with ease, he allowed Jaiswal to play his natural game.
Jaiswal brought up a composed half-century before converting it into a century — his first on English soil. His 101 off 159 balls included 16 boundaries and a six. He was eventually bowled by Stokes with a delivery that nipped in off the seam and clipped the top of off stump. The crowd at Headingley rose to applaud a knock of real maturity and grit.
Gill-Pant Stand Keeps India in Control
Rishabh Pant joined Gill after Jaiswal’s dismissal, and the pair stitched together another impressive partnership. Pant started cautiously but gradually found his rhythm, bringing up his half-century with a mistimed sweep that still found the boundary. In the process, he also crossed 3,000 runs in Test cricket.
At the other end, Gill carried on unfazed, reaching his century with a crisp cover drive. He became only the fourth Indian captain to score a hundred in his debut Test as skipper. He ended the day unbeaten on 127 off 169 deliveries, laced with 16 fours and a six.
England Bowlers Toil With Little Reward
While England’s bowlers made early inroads, they struggled to build pressure through the middle and final sessions. Ben Stokes was the standout, claiming two wickets and keeping things tight across his 13 overs. Brydon Carse picked up the wicket of Rahul but leaked runs. Chris Woakes bowled a lengthy 19-over spell without any reward, and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir kept things tight without a breakthrough.
With the second new ball due late in the day, England hoped to make inroads, but the Gill-Pant duo stood firm, ensuring India ended the day firmly in control.
Day 1 Key Highlights:
- India 359/3 at stumps
- Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 101 (159) – his maiden Test century in England
- Shubman Gill unbeaten on 127 – becomes fourth Indian captain to score a century on Test captaincy debut
- Rishabh Pant 65* – crosses 3,000 Test runs
- England managed just one wicket in the final two sessions
- Debutant Sai Sudharsan out for 0 – caught behind off Ben Stokes
