The sun shone brightly over Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025, as India’s cricket team lit up the first day of the 1st Test against England with a commanding performance. In a match that marked the beginning of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and a new era for Indian Test cricket, captain Shubman Gill and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with stunning centuries, while Rishabh Pant’s fiery fifty added flair. India ended Day 1 at an imposing 359/3 in 85 overs, leaving England’s bowlers tired and their fans stunned. Here’s a detailed look at how India dominated.
A New Chapter for Team India
This Test is special—it’s the first since legends Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin retired from Test cricket. With Shubman Gill as the new captain and Gautam Gambhir as coach, India is starting fresh in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. After tough losses against New Zealand (0-3 at home) and Australia (1-3 away) in 2024, Indian fans were eager to see how this young team would perform. Day 1 proved that the future is bright, with Gill and Jaiswal stepping up in style.
The Day’s Story: India’s Batting Masterclass
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl, expecting the Headingley pitch to help his pacers early on. But India’s batters had other plans. The pitch, unusually flat for Leeds, offered little swing or seam, and India made England pay for their decision.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Dazzling Century
Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s 23-year-old opener, set the tone with a brilliant 101 off 144 balls. Known for his fearless batting, Jaiswal played with confidence, smashing 12 fours and a six, mostly through the off-side. His cover drives and cuts were a treat to watch, and he reached his fifth Test hundred with back-to-back boundaries off Brydon Carse. A video of his celebration—a leap, a roar, and a hug from Gill—went viral, shared by young cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi on X. Jaiswal joined an elite list of Indian batters, including Sourav Ganguly and Murali Vijay, who scored centuries in their first Test innings in England. Despite cramps and a blow to the ribcage, Jaiswal’s grit shone through until Stokes dismissed him after tea, bowling a perfect ball that knocked back his off-stump.
Shubman Gill’s Captain’s Knock
Captain Shubman Gill walked in at No. 4 and played an unbeaten 127 off 140 balls, proving why he’s seen as the future of Indian batting. His innings was a mix of elegance and aggression, with 16 fours and 2 sixes. Gill’s cover drives were textbook, and he punished loose balls with ease. This was his first Test century in the first innings and his first as captain, making him the fifth Indian to score a hundred in his debut Test as skipper, alongside greats like Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli. Gill’s knock also took him past 2,000 Test runs, a milestone he reached in his 33rd Test. His calm leadership and fluent batting set the perfect example for his young team.
Rishabh Pant’s Explosive Fifty
Rishabh Pant, India’s vice-captain and wicketkeeper, brought his trademark energy with an unbeaten 65 off 91 balls. Known for his attacking style, Pant started with a bang, charging down the pitch to hit Stokes for a four off his second ball. His innings included 8 fours and a six, blending caution with flair. Pant crossed 3,000 Test runs during his knock, becoming a key part of India’s dominance. His 138-run partnership with Gill, still unbroken at stumps, frustrated England and set India up for a massive total on Day 2.
KL Rahul’s Solid Start, Sai Sudharsan’s Tough Debut
KL Rahul played a steady 42 off 74 balls, forming a 91-run opening stand with Jaiswal. His elegant drives showed why he’s a dependable batter in English conditions, but he fell just before lunch, edging Carse to slip. Debutant Sai Sudharsan, the No. 3 batter and IPL 2025 Orange Cap winner, had a tough start, getting out for a two-ball duck to Stokes. He became the first Indian top-7 batter since Wriddhiman Saha in 2010 to score a duck on Test debut, but he’ll have a chance to redeem himself in the second innings.
England’s Bowling Struggles
England’s decision to bowl first didn’t work out. Their pacers—Chris Woakes (0/70), Josh Tongue (0/75), and Brydon Carse (1/68)—struggled to find movement. Ben Stokes was the best bowler with 2/60, dismissing Jaiswal and Sudharsan, while spinner Shoaib Bashir went wicketless, giving away 78 runs in 20 overs. England’s attack missed the experience of James Anderson and the pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, both sidelined by injuries. A dropped catch by Harry Brook off Jaiswal and a failed DRS review added to their woes.
Key Moments and Stats
- India’s Big Total: At 359/3, India posted their fourth-highest first-innings score in the first Test of an away tour, behind the 399/3 vs Sri Lanka in 2017.
- Jaiswal’s Elite Club: His 101 made him the fifth Indian to score a century in his maiden Test innings in England, joining Vijay Manjrekar (1952), Sourav Ganguly (1996), Sandeep Patil (1982), and Murali Vijay (2014).
- Gill’s Milestone: Gill’s 127* was his fastest Test fifty (56 balls) and took him past 2,000 Test runs. He’s the fifth Indian to score a century in his first Test as captain.
- Partnerships: India had two 100-plus stands: 91 (Jaiswal-Rahul) and 138 (Jaiswal-Gill), with Gill and Pant’s 100-plus partnership ongoing.
- England’s Tough Day: Their bowlers leaked runs at an average economy of 4.22, with only Stokes under 4 runs per over.
What’s Next on Day 2?
India is in a strong position at 359/3, with Gill and Pant set to continue their assault. The second new ball, due early on Day 2, could give England a chance to fight back, but the pitch remains good for batting. Weather might play a role, with some forecasts predicting thunderstorms in Leeds. India will aim to cross 450, with batters like Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah waiting in the wings. England needs early wickets to avoid chasing a mountain of runs.
Last Updated on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 11:44 am by Naga Surya Teja Ganpisetty | Published by: Naga Surya Teja Ganpisetty on Saturday, June 21, 2025 10:57 am | News Categories: Sports
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