Leeds [UK], June 21: India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal hailed the leadership and composure of newly-appointed Test captain Shubman Gill following their vital 129-run partnership on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley.
Jaiswal, who played a stylish knock of 101 off 159 deliveries, spoke highly of his time at the crease with Gill, calling it “amazing” and praising the captain’s calm presence and strategic clarity during their stand.
“We have spoken a lot in the middle and we were just trying to make sure that we play session by session and try to get as many runs as we can. Especially when there is a loose ball, we try to make sure that we put it in the right places,” said Jaiswal during the post-day press conference.
After being put into bat, the duo laid a strong platform, pushing India past the 200-run mark. While Jaiswal was dismissed shortly after Tea, Gill carried on to remain unbeaten on 127 at stumps, impressing with his temperament on his captaincy debut.
Reflecting on their partnership, Jaiswal added, “We really enjoyed together. There was amazing camaraderie between us. It was amazing to bat with him and he batted really well. The way he has been very calm and composed… I loved batting with him and enjoying under him as well.”
Jaiswal’s innings featured 16 boundaries and a six and helped India take early control of the match. At stumps, India stood at a commanding 359/3, with Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant (65*) unbeaten at the crease.
During the day’s play, Gill crossed the 2,000-run mark in Test cricket, while Pant reached 3,000 runs. England’s only breakthroughs came via skipper Ben Stokes (2/43) and Brydon Carse (1/70).
India’s Day 1 total surpassed their previous best opening-day Test score in England (338/7 at Edgbaston in 2022). It also marked the highest Day 1 total by a visiting team in England since South Africa’s 362/4 at The Oval in 2003.