Yashasvi and Shubman light up Leeds, India off to a commanding start vs Eng in 1st test

 

They were called fearless and youthful—a team ready to take on challenges. And by the end of Day 1 at Leeds, this Indian side lived up to that billing. It’s rare to see two Indian batters score centuries on the opening day of a Test series, especially on English soil. But Friday was special. India finished Day 1 of the first Test at a dominant 359/3, with Shubman Gill unbeaten on 127 and Rishabh Pant on 65. This is now India’s highest total on Day 1 of a Test in England.

Captain Shubman Gill lost the toss in his debut match as skipper, prompting former head coach Ravi Shastri to quip, “It’s a good toss to lose.” And it was. England’s Ben Stokes opted to bowl under a blazing sun and warm conditions that resembled a subcontinental pitch more than a typical English one. As former captain Alastair Cook noted, “If you don’t bowl India out in these conditions, you’ll be out there the whole day.” And that’s exactly what happened.

Despite early wickets, India’s intent and temperament remained consistent. The same fearless mindset was evident throughout the day.

Yashasvi Jaiswal had come into the match with questions over form—he hadn’t had a greatest of  IPLs or warm-up game in England. But in the first Test of the series, he transformed. Just like in Australia last year and the West Indies before that, he brought up a century in the series opener. That’s three debut-Test centuries in three different countries—each considered challenging for batters.

Jaiswal’s innings was marked by discipline, composure, and tactical awareness. The English bowlers tried to lure him with deliveries outside the off-stump, but he refused to bite. He played the balls he needed to, left the rest. Stats reveal that he played 29.5% false shots—attempts that didn’t connect cleanly—but that was part of his strategy to disrupt the bowlers' plans. Nearing his century, he began cramping—his hands and legs tightening up—but he fought through, and after nudging Carse for a single to reach the three-figure mark, he celebrated with a jubilant Warner like leap and helmet-off roar that said it all.

The first hour in England is often the most crucial for batters. India began with that in mind. Both openers—Jaiswal and KL Rahul—batted cautiously, leaving balls outside the off-stump and wearing a few on the body. For the first time since 2013, an overseas opening pair crossed 50 at Leeds.

Rahul, in fact, looked more fluent early on, striking Stokes for two consecutive boundaries through the covers. But that same stroke brought his downfall—trying another cover drive off Brydon Carse, he edged it to Joe Root at slip for 42 sparkling runs .

Debutant Sai Sudharsan came in next, full of runs and confidence from the IPL. But Test cricket proved to be a different beast. He lasted only four balls. After playing three cautiously, he poked at a leg-side delivery from Stokes, edging it to keeper Jamie Smith. A reminder: this isn’t T20. Test cricket demands patience and presence at the crease.

Shubman Gill, stepping into Virat Kohli’s preferred No. 4 slot, had not only the responsibility of batting but also the pressure of leadership. And he embraced both roles with remarkable composure. His innings spoke of maturity and determination. The burden of captaincy didn’t weigh him down—it seemed to elevate him. Much like what we saw from him in the IPL with Gujarat Titans.

Before Friday, Shubman had scored just 88 runs in four Tests in England. But in this innings alone, he crossed a hundred. Comparisons could be drawn to Virat Kohli—who scored only 134 in his five-match 2014 England tour, before returning in 2018 to score 149 in the first Test and becoming the series’ top scorer. Kohli had turned to Sachin Tendulkar for advice. Shubman didn’t need to do that—but he did receive praise from the Master before this series, and perhaps that was motivation enough. Gill remained 127 not out at close . 

While Jaiswal and Gill stole the headlines, Rishabh Pant quietly made a powerful statement of his own. After a below-par IPL, he reminded everyone why he’s a different beast in red-ball cricket. His charge down the track to loft Stokes for a straight boundary stunned the crowd. Stokes, trying to rattle him with sledges, was completely ignored. Pant, unfazed, went about his business and notched up a half-century remaing 65 not out . He, too, has a point to prove in this series.

England bowling looked totally out of depth for most of the day . Ben Stokes with 2 wickets looked their most threatening bowler for a while .