IND vs ENG TEST: Jaiswal, Gill Centuries Signal Bright Start for India’s New Test Era
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, India’s rising Test stars, lit up the opening day at Headingley with commanding centuries, steering their team to dominance against England. Stepping into the void left by retired legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Jaiswal at opener and Gill at No. 4 showcased India’s new batting backbone with flair and authority.
Jaiswal, who smashed 712 runs against England in India’s home series 18 months ago, proved his mettle abroad with a stunning off-side masterclass. All 17 of his boundaries, including a ferocious cut for six over cover, targeted the off side, and he raced from 50 to 100 in just 48 balls. Gill, leading India for the first time, was even more commanding. His fastest Test fifty (56 balls) set the tone, and he cruised to his sixth Test hundred with a majestic cover drive, earning a standing ovation from his teammates.
Gill’s innings embodied his pre-series pledge to lead by example and “dominate” with the bat. Previously unproven in Tests outside Asia, he looked entirely at ease, cementing his role as both India’s present and future. England’s bowlers, toiling on a sweltering Leeds day, struggled after captain Ben Stokes opted to bowl first—a decision that backfired as the pitch offered little early assistance.
Stokes was England’s standout bowler, dismissing debutant B Sai Sudharsan down the leg side just before lunch and knocking back Jaiswal’s off stump after tea. Jaiswal and KL Rahul had earlier blunted England’s seamers, who bowled full but found no breakthrough. Rahul looked assured until a thick edge off Brydon Carse flew to Joe Root at slip, while Sai Sudharsan fell to Stokes’ leg-side trap, nicking to keeper Jamie Smith.
Gill survived early jitters, including a run-out scare after a misjudged single, but soon found his rhythm. Carse might have had Jaiswal lbw on 45, but a no-ball spared the opener. Jaiswal, battling cramp, accelerated against spinner Shoaib Bashir, slicing his first ball for four and later lofting him for boundaries. His century came via back-to-back fours off Carse, though Stokes ended his knock soon after.
Rishabh Pant, returning to Test cricket against England after three years, wasted no time, smashing his second ball for four. He and Gill tempered their aggression against Bashir’s steady 21-over spell, but Pant soon unleashed, clearing long-on with a towering six. Gill, after his hundred, kept the pressure on with a pulled six off Josh Tongue. England’s hopes for a late breakthrough with the second new ball faded as Pant and Gill closed the day with audacious strokeplay, including a slog-swept six off Chris Woakes.