The first Test of the five-match series between England and India got underway at Headingley in Leeds on June 20, 2025. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first.
For India, Sai Sudharsan made his Test debut, and Karun Nair made his comeback into the XI after 8 years.
KL Rahul (42) and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave a good opening start to India, scoring 91 runs for the first wicket. But then Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan got out in succession just before lunch. Sudharsan made a duck in his first Test innings.
Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill then got together and posted 129 runs for the second wicket as England looked out of ideas as the sun came out and the pitch became easy to bat on. Jaiswal hammered his 5th Test century and first in England, scoring 101 with 16 fours and 1 six, before falling to Ben Stokes.
Shubman Gill continued and got Rishabh Pant as his partner, and Pant announced himself in style. Pant didn't spend any time establishing his authority or trying to expand on Jaiswal's stance.
The wicketkeeper-batter, facing Stokes, pushed his first delivery to the on-side but, in the second ball he faced, he stepped out of the crease and smashed it straight back past the bowler for a clean four down the ground. Stokes himself laughed heartily at the shot.
Pant remained concentrated, intent on leading India to a significant first-innings total, while the England captain, pleased by his usually unafraid style, spoke with him and laughed.
Here is the video:
