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Jaiswal's Ton And Gill’s Masterclass Leave England Chasing Shadows On Day 1

Jatin

India vs England 1st Test Day 1 Highlights [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]India vs England 1st Test Day 1 Highlights [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

India owned Day 1 of the 1st Test at Headingley with a masterclass in temperament and timing. From the moment the openers walked out, there was a sense of purpose in every stride and every stroke.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fearless century set the tone, Shubman Gill’s captain’s knock oozed elegance and Rishabh Pant’s late-session fireworks lit up the evening. On a day that started with England’s seamers licking their lips, it was India who smiled last, sitting pretty at 359/3 and very much in the driver’s seat.

Here’s a look at the IND vs ENG 1st Test Day 1 highlights

Jaiswal and Rahul Dig In But England Claw Back Late

After being put into bat, India’s opening pair got off the blocks in style on a pitch that had enough juice early on. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul weathered the storm with great discipline, leaving well and cashing in when England strayed. Rahul, in particular, looked in sublime touch with a flurry of elegant cover drives while Jaiswal was solid down the ground and quick on the pull.

The duo stitched together a fluent fifty-run stand and looked set to take India to Lunch without any hiccups. But just as England started looking desperate, Brydon Carse found the breakthrough by luring Rahul into a loose waft outside off, caught at slip for a well-made 42.

And right on the brink of the break, debutant Sai Sudharsan nicked one down leg off Ben Stokes for a duck, shifting momentum slightly. What had been a dominant session for India ended on a more balanced note, as they walked in at 92/2 with Jaiswal unbeaten on 42.

Jaiswal Turns On The Heat With Sensational Ton, Gill Holds The Fort

If the morning session tilted India’s way, the post-lunch passage was a full-blown onslaught. It was a wicketless session and a memorable one at that. From the moment skipper Shubman Gill confidently shouldered arms to a Stokes outswinger, it was clear India weren’t in the mood to take a backward step.

Gill was all class with his crisp strokeplay but it was Jaiswal who stole the show. A flurry of elegant drives and back-foot punches had England scratching their heads. The short-ball ploy from Tongue turned out to be all bark and no bite as Jaiswal kept climbing.

Though cramps crept in late in the session, the southpaw fought through to raise his bat for a sensational hundred, celebrating with a roar and a leap that said it all. As India marched to 215/2 at Tea, BazBall was flipped on its head and it was India who were played with fire in their bellies.

Gill And Pant Pile On The Pain As India Dominate Final Session

Just when it looked like Yashasvi Jaiswal would carry on and torment England even more, Ben Stokes struck right after Tea. In only the second over of the session, Jaiswal chopped one onto his stumps for a gritty 101 off 159, bringing an end to a superb innings that had laid the perfect foundation.

But if England thought that wicket would crack open the floodgates, they were in for a rude shock. Shubman Gill, already well-set, took over the mantle and made batting look like a walk in the park. The Indian skipper was in complete control: elegant drives, crisp flicks, and rock-solid defence. He soon brought up a commanding Test century, one that oozed class and composure.

Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, did what he does best: shook things up. After a quiet start, he began to counter-attack, launching into the spinners and unsettling the rhythm. He reached a fluent fifty off 91 balls, including a big six that had the crowd on their feet.

India closed Day 1 at 359/3 with Gill unbeaten on 127 and Pant rock-solid on 65. And now, with two well-set batters in the middle, India have their sights firmly set on a mammoth first-innings total.

If England were hoping to ride the BaBball wave, India have just surfed past them in style. Day 1 was all about control, class and intent and India nailed it.