In a moment that will be etched in the memories of cricket fans, Shubman Gill donned the baggy blue cap of India’s Test captaincy for the first time and delivered a fiery pep talk to his teammates. Standing at the boundary ropes of the historic Headingley Stadium in Leeds during the opening Test against England, Gill’s words carried the weight of ambition and determination. With hands on his teammates’ shoulders, the young skipper urged his bowlers to strike early and secure a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, following a dominant batting display by India.
Gill’s leadership debut came with a personal milestone as he led from the front with a masterful 147-run knock. India posted a formidable 471 in their first innings, powered by three breathtaking centuries. Alongside Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant smashed a blistering 134, becoming the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test hundreds (7), surpassing legends like MS Dhoni. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also chipped in with a composed 101, setting a rock-solid foundation for the visitors.
The partnerships were the cornerstone of India’s dominance. Jaiswal and KL Rahul (42) stitched together a promising 91-run opening stand, while Gill and Pant took the game away from England with a monumental 209-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Gill’s 147 off 227 balls featured 19 boundaries and a six, showcasing his elegance and grit. Pant, the aggressor, hammered 12 fours and 6 sixes in his 134-ball knock, while Jaiswal’s 101 off 159 balls included 16 fours and a six, underlining India’s intent to dominate.
Resuming Day 2 at 359/3, India did lose momentum, shedding their last seven wickets for just 112 runs. England’s bowling attack found some rhythm with captain Ben Stokes (4/66) and pace sensation Josh Tongue (4/86) leading the charge. However, India’s total of 471 stands as their highest first-innings score in an away Test since the monumental 622/7 declared in Sydney in 2019. It is also their biggest first-innings total in England since the staggering 664 at The Oval in 2007, a testament to the firepower in this Indian batting lineup.
As Gill’s words echoed through the huddle, the message was clear: this Indian team is hungry for victory. With a daunting total on the board and a charged-up squad, India now looks to their bowlers—led by the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin—to dismantle England’s batting and seal an early advantage in this crucial series. Can Gill’s inspiring captaincy debut translate into a memorable win at Headingley? Only time will tell, but for now, Team India is riding high on confidence and camaraderie.