Leeds [UK], June 20: India delivered a commanding performance on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley, finishing at 359/3, led by debutant captain Shubman Gill’s unbeaten century, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fluent ton, and a steady knock from vice-captain Rishabh Pant.
Yashasvi Jaiswal set the platform early with a classy 101 off 159 balls, striking 16 boundaries and a six. After his dismissal post-Tea, Shubman Gill took charge, anchoring the innings with an assured 127* off 175 balls, including 16 fours and a six. His knock marked India’s highest-ever first-day total in a Test match on English soil.
Rishabh Pant added to the momentum, finishing the day unbeaten on 65 off 102 balls. His innings featured six boundaries and two towering sixes, and he remained in complete control alongside Gill, with the duo stitching together an unbroken 138-run partnership.
During the day’s play, Gill crossed 2,000 Test runs, while Pant reached the 3,000-run mark in the longest format.
Jaiswal’s dismissal came shortly after Tea when England captain Ben Stokes broke through, finishing with figures of 2/43. The only other English wicket-taker was Brydon Carse, who dismissed Sai Sudharsan for a duck and ended with figures of 1/70.
India’s 359/3 surpassed their previous best opening-day Test score in England—338/7 at Edgbaston in 2022. The last time a visiting team posted a higher total on Day 1 of a Test in England was South Africa’s 362/4 at The Oval in 2003.
Earlier in the day, Jaiswal and KL Rahul laid a solid foundation with a 91-run opening stand. Rahul missed out on a half-century, falling for 42 just before lunch.
With Gill and Pant settled at the crease, India will aim to build on their strong position on Day 2. England, meanwhile, will seek quick wickets to regain momentum in the match.
Brief Scores:
India 359/3 (Shubman Gill 127*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 101, Rishabh Pant 65*; Ben Stokes 2/43, Brydon Carse 1/70) vs England.