The opening Test of the five-match series between England and India began at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025. England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first.
India handed a debut to Sai Sudharsan, while Karun Nair returned to the playing XI after an eight-year absence. Openers KL Rahul (42) and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a solid start, putting on 91 runs for the first wicket.
However, both Rahul and debutant Sudharsan fell in quick succession before lunch, with Sudharsan dismissed for a duck in his maiden innings.
Jaiswal then found strong support from captain Shubman Gill, as the duo added 129 runs for the third wicket. With the sun out and batting conditions improving, England struggled for breakthroughs.
Jaiswal brought up his fifth Test century—and his first on English soil—scoring 101 runs, including 16 boundaries and a six, before being dismissed by Stokes.
Then, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant continued to haunt England bowlers, taking India past the 300-run mark. Shubman Gill, who had played brilliantly, felt some jitters in the 90s, with a false shot for a four and almost got run out.
However, with Pant to calm him down, Shubman Gill reached his 6th Test century and first as India Test captain in 140 balls with 14 fours to his name. He celebrated with energy and his trademark bowing down after hugging Rishabh Pant.
India had a very good day in the middle and ended day one on 359/3 with Shubman Gill on 127* and Rishabh Pant on 65*. For England, Ben Stokes took 3/43 and Brydon Carse picked the other wicket to fall.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for the new captain, Shubman Gill, who started his tenure with an amazing century.
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