Shubman Gill was under enormous pressure from the moment he was appointed as India’s Test captain.Former cricketers raised eyebrows over his elevation to the Test captaincy and even questioned his place in the starting XI.The 25-year-old on Friday silenced his doubters by registering his first away Test century on the opening day of the Leeds Test match.At the end of the day’s play, Shubman Gill was greeted by the Bharat Army with a song dedicated to his century and his anointment as India’s new Test captain.“His name is Shubman, our captain don’t you know. He comes from Punjab, we follow where he goes. We are his army, Bharat Army you know. His name is Shubman, our captain we follow. Du Du Du Du Du…” the Bharat Army fan group sang.Earlier, centuries from Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal steered India to 359 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against England.Jaiswal (101) brought up his fifth Test hundred right before tea, reaching the milestone in 144 balls with 16 fours and a six.
Gill (127*), meanwhile, reached his century in the final session of the day, marking a memorable start to his captaincy tenure.With the ton, Gill joined an elite group of Indians — Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli — who scored centuries in their first Test as captain.Jaiswal and Gill stitched together a crucial 129-run stand for the third wicket after India lost KL Rahul (42) and debutant B Sai Sudharsan (0) in quick succession just before the lunch break.Vice-captain Rishabh Pant was batting on 65, giving Gill company when stumps were called.For England, skipper Ben Stokes (2/43) took two wickets.
