Under the changing skies of Headingley, India's new Test era got off to a dazzling start by two of its brightest young stars. On Day One of the first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal hit authoritative centuries to put India in total control against hosts England.
Gill, in his first Test as India captain, stayed not out on 127, while Jaiswal played a stylish 101. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant also chipped in with a free-scoring 65* as India ended on a commanding 359/3 in 85 overs after being invited to bat on a pitch that provided little assistance for England bowlers.
Gill Leads From the Front
Gill's century — his second Test century away from India and the first as captain — came off 175 balls and was a mix of serene control and gracious aggression. He became part of an exclusive list of Indian captains to have achieved centuries on their Test captaincy debut, joining the likes of Virat Kohli, whose services were missed after his recent retirement from the game.
The 24-year-old Gill celebrated his century in an emotional way, reaching the milestone in style with a beautiful cover drive off Josh Tongue, and then continuing in the same vein with some cuts and pulls to further torment England's tired bowlers.
Jaiswal Dazzles on English Soil
On the opposite side, Jaiswal scored his first English Test hundred — his third against the English and fifth in his career. His 157-ball effort was filled with textbook strokeplay, especially off the off-side. There were drive after drive and cut after cut as the left-hander settled quickly and punished the wayward seamers of England.
Jaiswal's association with Gill contributed 129 runs off only 163 deliveries and totally shifted the balance in India's direction, particularly within the second session, when they went unscathed.
Early Slips and England's Flickering Hopes
India's innings was also drama-filled at the start. K.L. Rahul seemed to be in fluent touch, producing signature cover drives, but was out for 42 after deflecting a full outswinger by Brydon Carse. Debutant B. Sai Sudharsan was also nervous in his start and survived just four balls, playing down the leg side to be caught behind off Ben Stokes for a duck.
Those two early wickets in the lunch break provided England with a vision of hope, which was soon lost because of the Gill-Jaiswal partnership.
England's Bowling Falters Again
England's bowling side could not be consistent or aggressive. Ben Stokes was the best of the bowlers with 2 for 43, and Carse had one wicket. Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue were not very effective, and England used a review on a leg-before appeal against Jaiswal that replays indicated was pitched outside leg.
Pant Adds the Finishing Flair
Following tea, Rishabh Pant added his own dash of zip to the crease. He stormed to 65* off 102 balls, en route to reaching 3,000 Test runs. His innings featured a paddle to an early-rise top-edge, a six soaring high over mid-off, and a flurry of boundary shots, including a flirtatious loft over Ben Stokes' head that even coaxed a smile from the England captain.
Pant and Gill put together 138 runs in the last session against England's reverse swing and Shoaib Bashir's spin, with the latter displaying some class with his variation and control but failing to breach the resistance.
Jaiswal's masterpiece was cut short after tea when Stokes used the angle from wide of the crease to dislodge the top of off stump, but the damage was already done.
Score Summary:
India 359/3 in 85 overs
(Shubman Gill 127*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 101, Rishabh Pant 65*; Ben Stokes 2/43, Brydon Carse 1/70)
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