India put on a great batting display on the opening day at Headingley, with Shubman Gill, in his first innings as India’s Test captain, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, in his maiden Test innings in England, cruising to individual tonnes. India was led by Jaiswal in the first half, but Shubman Gill took centre stage with an undefeated 127 in the second half, passing the baton. On the opening day, India’s batsmen collectively won the title, amassing 359/3 and putting any uncertainty about the future on hold.
Jaiswal, who hit his fifth Test century, formed brilliant combinations with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul.
Despite being on the wrong side of the call at the toss, Shubman Gill continued and added Rishabh Pant, making it their day, while Jaiswal fell early in the fourth session after reaching his tonne. Shubman Gill speech flowed more naturally, with the skipper projecting a sense of control throughout, whilst Jaiswal’s had a few nervous moments. It was the perfect response to the openers’ start earlier in the day.
After a poor start with the ball was stopped by Jaiswal and Rahul, England’s attempts to capitalise on the early movement made possible by the dampness ended in a lacklustre performance. Although they were a little cautious at first, the pair was skilled at clearing away anything that got in their way. Jaiswal was put to the test a few times as the ball tried to get within his pads, but he was able to keep it out. Only a few scary moments occurred throughout the first hour, despite a few drives being cut uppishly through the gully area.
Instead, the innings were interspersed with striking drives. While Jaiswal creamed a few down the ground, Rahul laced a couple through covers. India scored up to nine runs in the first hour alone, most of which came from boundaries. After Josh Tongue, the first-change bowler, hit Jaiswal from around the wicket, England wasted one review against him and appealed for LBW. However, the angle made sure the ball was pitching outside leg and moving downward.
In the first hour, England was also guilty of frequently overpitching, which led to additional boundaries being given up. Due to all of this, the first ten overs of the contest ended without a wicket for the first time in the previous seven Test matches played at Headingley. However, Jaiswal missed some cut attempts and kept them engaged with a few plays. Both hitters gained confidence in their ability to play the shots as the session went on. However, England’s bowlers were never far away due to the steady movement.
Before Rahul played one cover drive too many and ended up nicking the first slip with minutes remaining for the lunch break, ending a 91-run stand, Jaiswal and Rahul put up an almost flawless session for India. When rookie Sai Sudharsan went out to join Jaiswal, who was in his forties, Carse’s breakthrough raised England’s spirits. However, Sudharsan’s debut was forgettable after he was caught for a duck after nicking a delivery down the legside off Stokes. England was able to recover just in time for the first session thanks to the double blow.
But after the interval, Shubman Gill gave Jaiswal better support. The latter, standing outside the crease, entered with a fresh strategy to address the movement. Early in the innings, it also improved his fluency. Gill quickly established the borders that held England at bay. His quickest fifty in Test cricket came off just 56 balls. Jaiswal was able to maintain a constant pace as a result. In the second half of the innings, the southpaw was put to the test by a few short balls. Jaiswal, however, was ready to respond with anything within his area.
On his way to the century, he struggled with cramps in his right hand, but he overcame them to reach the century in 144 balls and go through a second session with Shubman Gill without taking any wickets. However, Stokes easily dismissed Jaiswal after the interval, bowling him for 101 to halt a 129-run partnership. Following, Pant stepped out on the second ball to get off the mark by hitting Stokes over his head for a boundary. However, as he advanced, that tempo was slowed down, and Shubman Gill maintained his fluidity throughout.
Having left more balls than he had in any previous Test session, he cruised to his sixth. Along with becoming the first Indian skipper to score a century in their maiden innings as captain, it was also his first Test century outside of Asia. His vice-captain Pant joined him in the celebrations, toe-ending a slog for a boundary while bringing up his fifty and three thousand Test runs.
India ended the day with a Bazball-like run-rate of 4.22 thanks to some early runs from the second new ball.
India vs. England, brief scores: 359/3 (Shubman Gill 127*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 101, Rishabh Pant 65*).
India
