India on Friday enjoyed an ideal start to the five-match series, reaching stumps on the opening day of the first Test in the dominant position of 359 for 3, as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) and new captain Shubman Gill (127* not out) took a toll on England’s attack.The duo stitched together a 123-run stand for the third wicket to steady the ship for the tourists after they lost two quick wickets just before lunch.However, India could have lost their captain right after the break if England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope had hit the stumps from mid-wicket after Gill rushed to take a quick single and had to do a full-stretched dive to reach home.In a video going viral on social media, both Jaiswal and Gill can be heard having a hilarious conversation.“Haan haan, bolte rehna bas. Meri aadat hai aage jaane ki” (Yes, yes, you keep calling, I have this habit of charging out), Jaiswal said.Shubman replied: “Bhaag mat jaiyo bas” (Just don’t take off carelessly).
To which Jaiswal nodded to his captain and said: “Mereko jor se ‘no’ bol do chalega, meri aadat hai lekin” (Just shout ‘no’ loudly, I’m fine with that — I just have this habit of going for a run).Next ball, Jaiswal tapped Joshua Tongue to short point and looked for a quick run, but as promised, Gill shouted a loud “NO!”“Arey aa jao yaar” (Come on, let’s take the single), Jaiswal pleaded to his captain. But Gill was having none of it, and the 23-year-old muttered in disappointment: “Bhaiya yaar…“Shubman tried to explain to his opener that the fielder was a bit close and apologized: “Thoda aage tha yeh, sorry” (He was a bit forward, sorry).
Jaiswal responded cheekily: “Bahut door hai” (He’s really far).The left-handed batter played an exceptional innings of 101 runs off 159 balls, laced with 16 boundaries and a maximum, while Shubman remained unbeaten on 127 at stumps on Day 1.
