The IND vs ENG 1st Test Highlights from Day 1 at Headingley are dominated by a spectacular batting performance from India. Captain Shubman Gill and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal both notched up brilliant centuries, ensuring India finished the day in a commanding position. At Stumps on Friday, India stood strong at 359/3 after 85 overs.
England’s bowlers toiled throughout the day, often missing their lengths in search of elusive movement. While KL Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan fell in quick succession, threatening to open a door for the hosts, that brief window was decisively shut by the masterful partnership between Gill and Jaiswal, and later by Gill and Rishabh Pant. IND vs ENG 1st Test Highlights
Gill and Pant’s Late Flourish Seals India’s Dominance
The final session of the day saw India consolidate their advantage with an aggressive display from Rishabh Pant. Facing Chris Woakes in the last over, Pant audaciously swung a length ball outside off over the square leg boundary for a six, capping off an incredible day for India. He then clipped a full delivery for a couple, before playing out the last three balls, remaining unbeaten on 65. IND vs ENG 1st Test Highlights
Pant’s innings was an exhibition of daredevilry and cunning mind games, leaving England bowlers losing sleep. His aggressive approach after the new ball was taken by England in the 81st over, where he promptly drove Woakes for a boundary to bring up his Fifty, showcased his unique batting style. This milestone made him the second Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to reach 3000 Test runs, following the legendary MS Dhoni.
Shubman Gill, meanwhile, continued his serene captaincy debut, ending the day unbeaten on 127. He brought up his century in the 75th over with a glorious drive off Josh Tongue through covers, a brilliant knock from the Indian captain. He then capped off the over with a hooked six, further demoralizing the English attack. His innings was a blend of solid defense and exquisite strokeplay, firmly establishing India’s control. IND vs ENG 1st Test Highlights
Jaiswal’s Record-Breaking Ton and Early Action
Earlier in the day, Yashasvi Jaiswal had set the tone with a sensational century. He reached his hundred in the 49th over, cutting Brydon Carse past gully for a boundary and overcoming a bout of cramps that briefly halted play. This marked his first-ever Test century in England and made him the seventh Indian opener to score Test hundreds in both England and Australia, joining an exclusive list.
The day began with England choosing to bowl first under cloudy skies that later gave way to bright sunshine. Chris Woakes started the proceedings for England, while Brydon Carse shared the new ball. Jaiswal and KL Rahul provided a robust start for India, defying the early conditions. Rahul, in particular, displayed some elegant cover drives. IND vs ENG 1st Test Highlights
Key Moments from Day 1
- IND 4/0 (1 over): Jaiswal gets off the mark with a streaky boundary through slips off Woakes.
- IND 52/0 (15 overs): Rahul nudges past mid-off for three, bringing up the fifty-run opening partnership with Jaiswal – India’s highest at Headingley since 1986.
- IND 91/0 (24 overs): Jaiswal drives Stokes through cover for a boundary, showing aggressive intent.
- WICKET! IND 91/1 (25 overs): KL Rahul departs for 42, edging Brydon Carse to Joe Root in the slips. An anti-climactic end to a strong partnership.
- WICKET! IND 92/2 (25.4 overs): Debutant Sai Sudharsan falls for a 4-ball duck, caught down leg by Jamie Smith off Ben Stokes. Two wickets in quick succession swing momentum.
- IND 135/2 (35 overs): Jaiswal nudges to deep fine for a single, bringing up his fifty.
- IND 183/2 (43 overs): Gill brings up his fifty with a trademark short-arm jab through mid-wicket for four, a fine start to his captaincy.
- IND 209/2 (49 overs): Jaiswal hits his hundred with a single to point, battling through cramps.
- WICKET! IND 226/3 (53 overs): Jaiswal is bowled by Ben Stokes for 101 after Tea, playing a slightly casual stroke. Rishabh Pant arrives at the crease.
- IND 312/3 (75 overs): Gill cracks a four through covers off Tongue to bring up his 100, followed by a hooked six.
- IND 337/3 (81 overs): Pant gets to his fifty with a leading edge that goes for a boundary.
- STUMPS Day 1: IND 359/3 (85 overs): India finishes the day strongly with Gill (127*) and Pant (65*) at the crease. IND vs ENG 1st Test Highlights
Stokes will now hope his bowlers can recharge their batteries overnight and look for early scalps with the relatively new ball on Day 2 to dent India’s imposing first innings. Otherwise, England might be in for a very long haul in the field, with quality Indian batting still to come.
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