A new era of Indian Test cricket began with poise and purpose on Friday as Shubman Gill’s India stamped their authority on the opening day of the first Test against England at Headingley in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. Sent in to bat after England captain Ben Stokes won the toss, India overcame early challenges to finish the day at a commanding 359/3 – their highest-ever Day 1 total in a Test in England.Scaorecard: India vs England, 1st Test Day 1Skipper Gill led from the front with an unbeaten 127, becoming only the fourth Indian to score a century in his maiden innings as Test captain, emulating legends like Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s sublime 101 and a composed unbeaten 65 from vice-captain Rishabh Pant added to India’s dominance. Their combined efforts have put India firmly in control, making a bold statement in their first Test since the retirements of stalwarts Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin.
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Debut disappointment for Sai Sudharsan
Much was expected from debutant Sai Sudharsan, but the 23-year-old endured a harsh introduction to Test cricket. Handed cap No. 317 by Cheteshwar Pujara, Sudharsan came in at No. 3 but was dismissed for a duck after just four balls — becoming the first Indian debutant since 2011 to suffer such a fate. His nervous stay ended when Ben Stokes, attacking with discipline, found the edge through to the keeper.The early dismissal slightly dented India’s promising 91-run opening stand between KL Rahul (42) and Yashasvi Jaiswal. India went into lunch at 92/2, with questions looming about their new-look middle order.
Yashasvi Jaiswal continues dream run
Yashasvi Jaiswal once again proved why he is India’s most exciting red-ball batting prospect. The 23-year-old left-hander struck his fifth Test century — and third against England — to continue his remarkable trend of scoring hundreds in the opening Test of every overseas series he’s played.Jaiswal’s 101 off 159 balls featured 16 fours and a six. His innings was a fine blend of restraint and aggression, beginning with a fluent drive off Woakes and building into a commanding knock that blunted England’s bowling attack. Notably, he added 129 runs with Gill for the third wicket, a partnership that pulled India away from early trouble and toward a position of dominance.
Captain Gill matches Kohli’s feat with commanding century
In his first outing as Test captain, Shubman Gill showed exactly why he’s been trusted to lead India into a new era. Calm under pressure, the 25-year-old constructed a majestic innings, reaching his sixth Test century and his third against England.His unbeaten 127 off 175 balls was a masterclass in timing, intent, and authority. He reached his fifty off just 56 balls — his fastest in Tests — and didn’t let up. With 14 crisp boundaries, Gill joined Hazare, Gavaskar, and Kohli as the only Indians to score a century in their first innings as Test captain.At 25 years and 285 days, he also became the youngest Indian skipper to record a fifty on captaincy debut. His composure, combined with tactical clarity, suggests India’s transition may be in safe hands.
Pant adds spark, India finish Day 1 at 359/3
Rishabh Pant added the late flourish, accelerating after Jaiswal’s dismissal to notch up a confident 65* off 102 balls. The Gill-Pant stand remains unbroken at stumps, already worth 138 runs for the fourth wicket.England’s bowlers, barring Ben Stokes (2/43), struggled to extract much from the surface. Brydon Carse took the only other wicket, while the rest of the attack looked toothless against India’s batting discipline.India’s 359/3 is their highest Day 1 total in England, surpassing the 338/7 scored at Edgbaston in 2022. It’s also the highest Day 1 score by any visiting team in England since 2003, when South Africa posted 362/4 at The Oval.
