India vs England Test Opener: Jaiswal & Gill’s Centuries Spark New Era at Headingley

India vs England 1st Test Day 1 – Gill & Jaiswal Stun England with Twin Tons

June 20, 2025, marked the dawn of a new era for Indian Test cricket at Headingley, Leeds. With Shubman Gill leading the side for the first time and legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli absent after retiring from the format, India faced England in the opening Test of a five-match series, part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. The day belonged to India, as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill scored brilliant centuries, guiding their team to a commanding 359 for 3 at stumps.

Toss and Early Play

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping to exploit early moisture on the Headingley pitch. The decision seemed promising under overcast skies, but India’s openers had other ideas. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul started cautiously, respecting good deliveries while punishing anything loose. Jaiswal, in particular, was a delight to watch, driving and cutting with precision, especially on the off-side. The pair added 91 runs for the first wicket, setting a solid platform.

Just before lunch, England struck back. Brydon Carse dismissed Rahul for 42, caught by Joe Root at slip, and Ben Stokes removed debutant Sai Sudharsan for a duck, caught by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith down the leg side. India went to lunch at 92 for 2, with England sensing a comeback.

Jaiswal and Gill Take Charge

The post-lunch session saw India seize control. Jaiswal, joined by captain Gill, launched a counterattack. Their 129-run partnership for the third wicket was a blend of aggression and composure. Jaiswal reached his century, scoring 101 off 159 balls with 17 fours, all on the off-side. He became the first Indian to score centuries in their first Tests in both Australia and England, a remarkable feat. His record against England is stellar, with 813 runs in 10 innings, including six scores of 50 or more.

Gill, leading by example, played a captain’s knock. He reached his half-century in just 56 balls, his fastest in Tests and converted it into an unbeaten 127. His innings mixed elegant drives with aggressive pulls and cuts, showing why People are calling him the next big thing. At tea, India were 215 for 2, with Jaiswal on 100 and Gill on 58, firmly in control.

Pant’s Explosive Arrival

After tea, Stokes bowled Jaiswal for 101, but Rishabh Pant ensured India’s momentum didn’t waver. Known for his fearless approach, Pant charged down the pitch to his second ball from Stokes, smashing it for four, drawing a laugh from the England captain. He ended the day unbeaten on 65 off 102 balls, with six fours and two sixes, and also crossed 3,000 Test runs. His unbroken 138 run stand with Gill for the fourth wicket left India in a dominant position at 359 for 3.

England’s Bowling Woes

England’s bowlers struggled after the first session. Stokes was the pick, taking 2 wickets for 43 runs in 13 overs, but others faltered. Chris Woakes went wicketless, conceding 89 runs in 19 overs, while Shoaib Bashir gave 66 runs in 21 overs. Brydon Carse took 1 wicket but couldn’t sustain pressure. The pitch, expected to assist bowlers early, but became a batsman’s paradise as the sun came out.

A New Era Begins

Gill’s appointment as captain at 25 is a bold move by selectors Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar. His experience leading the Gujarat Titans in the IPL showed promise, but Test captaincy is a tougher test. His century on Day 1 silenced doubters, proving he can lead from the front. Jaiswal’s consistency and Pant’s flair further Strengthened India’s new look side. Sai Sudharsan’s debut duck was a setback, but his IPL 2025 Orange Cap win suggests he has the talent and he will recover.

Looking Ahead

India’s 359 for 3 is one of their strongest starts in England, setting them up for a massive first innings total. With Gill and Pant at the crease, and the pitch favouring batsmen, England face a tough challenge on Day 2. This series, part of the World Test Championship, is crucial for both teams, and India’s dominant start sends a clear message.

Scorecard Summary

Batter	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Status
Yashasvi Jaiswal	101	159	16	1	Bowled Stokes
KL Rahul	42	78	8	0	Caught Root (Carse)
Sai Sudharsan	0	4	0	0	Caught Smith (Stokes)
Shubman Gill (c)	127	175	16	1	Not Out
Rishabh Pant (wk)	65	102	6	2	Not Out

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Chris Woakes	19	2	89	0	4.70
Brydon Carse	16	5	70	1	4.40
Josh Tongue	16	0	75	0	4.70
Ben Stokes	13	1	43	2	3.30
Shoaib Bashir	21	4	66	0	3.10

Fall of Wickets: 91-1 (Rahul, 24.5), 92-2 (Sudharsan, 25.4), 221-3 (Jaiswal, 52.3)

India’s performance on Day 1 has set the tone for an exciting series. With Gill leading a young and talented side, the future looks bright for Indian Test cricket.

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Sources : ESPNcricinfo , ICC

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