Headingley, Leeds – A new chapter in Indian Test cricket unfolded with breathtaking brilliance on Friday as Shubman Gill marked his captaincy debut with an unbeaten 127, leading India to a commanding 359/3 on Day 1 of the first Test against England in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. This performance not only mirrored the authoritative starts of past skippers like Virat Kohli but also set a historic benchmark, with India posting their highest-ever Day 1 total in a Test match on English soil.
The day began with uncertainty after England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl on a seam-friendly Headingley pitch. However, India’s revamped batting lineup, led by their young skipper, turned the tide with a blend of resilience and aggression. Gill, stepping into the leadership role following the retirements of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin, became only the fourth Indian captain to score a century in his maiden innings as Test skipper, joining the elite company of Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kohli.
Opening the innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with a sublime 101 off 159 balls, his fifth Test century and third against England. The 23-year-old’s knock, studded with 16 fours and a six, showcased his knack for big scores overseas—he has now scored a century in the opening Test of every foreign series he’s played. Jaiswal’s 129-run partnership with Gill for the third wicket was the cornerstone of India’s dominance, pulling them out of early trouble after a shaky start at 92/2 by lunch.
While Jaiswal dazzled, debutant Sai Sudharsan faced a baptism by fire. Presented with Test cap No. 317 by Cheteshwar Pujara, the 23-year-old walked in at No. 3 but lasted just four balls, dismissed for a duck by a probing delivery from Stokes. His dismissal marked him as the first Indian debutant since 2011 to fall for zero, a harsh welcome to the red-ball arena. Earlier, KL Rahul (42) had steadied the ship alongside Jaiswal before falling to Brydon Carse, leaving India with early jitters.
However, Gill’s composure under pressure shone through. At 25 years and 285 days, he became the youngest Indian captain to score a fifty on debut, racing to the milestone in just 56 balls—his fastest in Test cricket. His unbeaten 127, laced with 14 crisp boundaries, was a masterclass in timing and intent. Alongside vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who contributed a breezy unbeaten 65 off 102 balls, Gill forged an unbroken 138-run stand for the fourth wicket by stumps, further tightening India’s grip on the game.
England’s bowling attack, barring Stokes’ gritty 2/43, failed to capitalize on early breakthroughs. Carse claimed the other wicket, but the likes of Chris Woakes and debutant Gus Atkinson were rendered ineffective against India’s disciplined batting. The hosts’ frustration was palpable as India surpassed their previous highest Day 1 total in England—338/7 at Edgbaston in 2022—and recorded the highest Day 1 score by any visiting team in England since South Africa’s 362/4 at The Oval in 2003.
As the sun set on Headingley, India’s bold statement echoed louder than ever. With Gill at the helm, showing tactical acumen and personal brilliance, the team’s transition into a new era appears seamless. Day 2 promises more intrigue—can England’s bowlers find a way back, or will India’s dynamic duo of Gill and Pant push the score beyond reach? For now, the visitors hold all the aces in this gripping contest.