India v/s England: Gill and Jaiswal’s hundred help India score 359/3 at stumps

New Delhi (India) June 21: India scored at a Bazball-like rate of 4.22 after being selected to bat first and scored 359 runs for just three wickets by stumps. It was aggressive, unafraid, and incredibly similar to Test cricket played in England.

As India scored 359/3 at Stumps on Day 1, Rishabh Pant struck a brilliant half-century and Shubman Gill made his Test debut as captain of India in the longest format with a brilliant century. Gill became the fifth Indian to achieve a century in his debut Test match as captain after reaching his century in 140 balls.

Gill hit a cover drive off Josh Tongue to reach his third Test century and sixth overall against England. He scored the century after hitting his fourteenth boundary. He took off his helmet to celebrate the milestone.

Sachin Tendulkar couldn't help but think of his iconic knock at Headingley from 23 years ago as he watched the action unfold.

Tendulkar posted, “A solid foundation laid by @klrahul and @ybj_19 enabled India to have a good day. Congratulations to Yashasvi and @ShubmanGill for their brilliant centuries. @RishabhPant17’s contribution was equally important for the team” on social media platform X.

He also added, “India’s batting today reminded me of the Headingley Test in 2002, when Rahul, @SGanguly99, and I scored hundreds in the first innings, and we went on to win the Test. Today, Yashasvi and Shubman have done their part. Who will be the third centurion this time?”

After a successful first day, centurion Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant were greeted by the rest of the Indian dressing room with a loud applause. KL Rahul, who scored 42 in the first innings, greeted Gill with a thump on the back as he and Pant made their way back to the dressing room. He folded his hands and bowed to wicketkeeper-batter Pant who is undefeated at 65 runs.

Centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal was taken down by Ben Stokes shortly after play resumed for the last session. At Lunch in Leeds, Gill was partnered with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was getting close to a half-century, as India reached 92/2. At Headingley, Jaiswal and KL Rahul formed an opening partnership of 91 runs in the first session. Nevertheless, England took two wickets in five balls to close the session on a high note. B Sai Sudharsan, an Indian newcomer, was dismissed for a four-ball duck.

Chris Woakes and the other bowlers from England battled with consistency and control, while Ben Stokes was the only one who really threatened. With all three of their front-line pacers scoring more than four runs per over, India's hitters were active and strong, leaving England's bowlers wobbling.

India’s Playing XI includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna

England's Playing XI includes Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir.

Aadrika Tayal