Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill launched India’s new era in Test cricket with commanding centuries, putting the visitors in complete control on the opening day against England at Headingley. India ended the day at a strong 359 for 3 after being asked to bat first by England skipper Ben Stokes.
Jaiswal, playing his first Test on English soil, made a stylish 101 off 159 balls, filled with 16 boundaries and one six—all on the off side. His innings followed an impressive record he began in Australia last year, where he also scored a century on debut. With this feat, Jaiswal became the first Indian to score hundreds in his first Test in both England and Australia.
The 22-year-old opener shared a solid 91-run stand with KL Rahul to lay a solid foundation. Though Jaiswal occasionally missed deliveries and took a hit on the ribcage from Brydon Carse, he showed composure before reaching his hundred with back-to-back boundaries and a single. His knock came to an end soon after tea when Ben Stokes found a way past his off stump.
“Jaiswal and KL Rahul did not entertain that notion,” noted the commentary on England’s early bowling strategy, referring to the home side’s hopes of early movement in the morning session.
At the other end, Shubman Gill, captaining India in Tests for the first time, played an authoritative knock. Starting a bit nervously after lunch, Gill quickly settled in, reaching his fastest Test half-century off just 56 deliveries. He later brought up his sixth Test century with a crisp cover drive, drawing applause from the dressing-room balcony.
Gill had stated on the eve of the match that he wanted to lead by example and “dominate” with the bat—and he delivered exactly that. “He looked completely at home as he seized his chance to prove he is not only the future of India’s batting line-up, but the present too,” it was noted.
He finished the day unbeaten on 127 from 175 balls, with 16 fours and one six. His innings was well supported by Rishabh Pant, who marked his Test return against England with a typically aggressive 65 not out off 102 balls. Pant attacked from the start, launching his second delivery for a boundary and later smashing a straight six.
England’s bowlers toiled hard under the Leeds sun, with little success. Stokes was the most effective, removing debutant B Sai Sudharsan and breaking through Jaiswal’s defense. Carse and Tongue created occasional moments of concern but lacked consistency. Shoaib Bashir bowled a marathon 21-over spell but found little reward as India remained firmly in control.
The day belonged to India’s new generation, with Jaiswal and Gill stepping up in the absence of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their assured performance has given India a dominant platform to build a substantial first-innings lead in this opening Test of the World Test Championship series.