June 20, 2025, Headingley, Leeds — The first day of the highly awaited India vs England 1st Test match at Headingley witnessed a powerful batting show by the visitors as India scored a strong 359/3 at stumps. It was a day to remember for Indian cricket, with captain Shubman Gill’s century on Test captaincy debut and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s battle-hardened hundred at the top of the order. A good half-century by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant provided additional solidity as England found it difficult to cause any real damage after the opening session.

This Test signals the start of the newly named Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, in memory of two of the sport’s all-time greats. The event was added to with some extra emotional heft as both teams took a moment of silence before the match, remembering the victims of last week’s Ahmedabad plane crash. Players from both sides sported black armbands during the day.

Toss and Teams: England Opt to Bowl First

It was no surprise England captain Ben Stokes opted to bowl first at the toss, looking to take advantage of early movement on a seaming Headingley pitch. Indian captain Shubman Gill conceded he would have made the same choice, considering the early conditions. India’s playing XI featured Sai Sudharsan’s Test debut at No. 3 and Karun Nair’s return to Test cricket, with England also having a top seven as usual but with a pace attack that included Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.

India’s Solid Start and Opening Partnership

India’s innings started on a stable note, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul taking the new ball in their stride. The morning session was the visitors’ as they reached 92/2 at Lunch. Rahul, who was looking solid, was out for 42 after being edged by a ball from Carse. Sai Sudharsan, regretfully, was unable to leave an impression in his debut and got out for a duck to Stokes.

But it was Yashasvi Jaiswal who held his own among the initial dismissals. Showing maturity and technical restraint, Jaiswal read the English conditions perfectly. Bidding farewell to nerves playing his first-ever Test innings in England, Jaiswal overcame cramps and an inquiring English bowling line-up, finally making it to a well-deserved century in 150 balls. His innings was dotted with some sumptuous boundaries, including three successive fours off Woakes in one dominating spell of play.

Captain Shubman Gill’s Historic Century

Coming to the crease after the early wickets, Shubman Gill had the pressure of leading India for the first time in Test cricket. But if he felt the weight of captaincy, he certainly didn’t show it. After a cautious start, Gill accelerated fluently, displaying his trademark poise and grace. Cover drives, gentle nudges through midwicket, and exquisite timing highlighted his innings.

Gill reached his half-century with a dominant pull shot off Josh Tongue, and as the day went on, his confidence only increased. The highlight of the day was when Gill reached his century in style — a superb cover drive to the boundary off Tongue’s bowling. This innings made Gill the fifth Indian player to make a century on debut as Test captain, becoming part of an exclusive list that includes Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli.

Partnership with Pant: Building the Foundation

While Jaiswal’s innings came to a premature end at the hands of a peach of a delivery from Ben Stokes, it was Rishabh Pant who picked up the gauntlet of constructing India’s innings alongside his captain. Pant’s style was reflected in his approach — there were times when he was aggressive, but he was measured for the greater part. The beginning of his innings was spent in resisting his attacking nature, working to consolidate India’s position.

But once the partnership settled in, Pant started uncoiling his signature shots. He greeted the second new ball by paddling Ben Stokes over his head for a boundary, and then struck a magnificent slog sweep off Shoaib Bashir for six. Pant’s fifty, attained with a slog that went awry but reached the boundary, was also an individual achievement as he reached 3000 runs in Test cricket.

The Gill-Pant association chipped in more than 130 runs, tiring down an exhausted England bowing unit.

England ‘s Bowling Woes

For England, it was a frustrating day. Having chosen to bowl first, they were hoping for more lateral movement and more help from the pitch. Woakes and Carse were able to take early wickets, but thereafter, India gradually consolidated their supremacy. Bashir, playing a holding role, was unflustered but not menacing. The seamers, by the third session, looked visibly tired, resulting in unforced errors, such as overstepping and giving India additional runs.

Stokes’ miraculous bowling to send Jaiswal back to the pavilion was the only bright spot for the home team’s bowlers. The English fielders were more than usually running to the fence for leather as Gill and Pant penetrated gaps with ease towards the end of the day.

Turnings Points of the Day

• Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Century (101 off 158 balls): Starting his first Test innings in England on a note of glory.
• Shubman Gill’s Century (100 off 140 balls): Latching onto the record as the fifth Indian to make a century on Test captaincy debut
• Rishabh Pant’s Half-Century (50 off 72 balls): A mature, unflappable innings that got going towards the end of play.
• India’s Stumps Score: 359/3 in 85 overs: A dominant position for the visitors, setting up for an enormous first innings score.

Looking Ahead

With India firmly established in the driver’s seat after Day 1, Day 2 will see them looking to construct a menacing first-innings total, likely in excess of 500. Shubman Gill, who remains unbeaten, will look to make it a big century, while Pant’s aggressive nature might continue to trouble the English bowlers. India still have batting depth with Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur to come.

For England, the challenge on Day 2 will be to take early wickets with the new ball, getting rid of both Gill and Pant early to stop India from getting away with the game. They’ll require their bowlers fired and fielders alert if they are going to get back in charge.

Conclusion

Day 1 of the 1st India-England Test was all about the visitors. With records shattered, milestones reached, and associations flourishing, Shubman Gill’s debut day as Test captain could not have been much improved. As the series continues, everyone will be looking to see if this Indian team can carry the momentum and translate this encouraging beginning into an all-around triumph.

Tune in for further updates as the fight between these two cricketing giants goes on at Headingley.