Kashmir, June 20, 2025 – Shubman Gill, India’s newly appointed Test captain, marked his leadership debut with a scintillating century on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, in the opening match of the five-match series, part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The 25-year-old’s masterful 102* off 140 balls powered India to a commanding position, steering them past 300 runs alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal’s equally brilliant ton, as the visitors dominated a lackluster England bowling attack.
Gill’s Historic Knock
Leading a young Indian side in the absence of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from Test cricket last month, Gill showcased his class and composure at the No. 4 spot. His sixth Test century, and first as captain, placed him in an elite group of Indian skippers—Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, and Dilip Vengsarkar—who scored centuries in their debut Test as captain. Gill’s innings, characterized by elegant drives and precise footwork, boasted a control percentage of 91.5%, with only Rahul Dravid recording a lower false shot rate (since 2006) among Indian centurions in England.
India’s Dominance on Day 1
After England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl on a dry Headingley pitch, India faced early challenges with KL Rahul (42) and debutant Sai Sudharsan (0) falling before lunch, leaving them at 92/2. However, Gill’s 129-run partnership with Jaiswal (100* off 150 balls) turned the tide. Jaiswal, battling hand cramps, notched his first Test century in England, becoming the first Indian to score centuries in debut Tests in both Australia and England. Post-tea, Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant (35* off 68 balls) forged an unbeaten 50-plus stand, guiding India to 271/3 by the close of play.
Key Moments
- Gill’s Milestone: Reached his century with a boundary off Josh Tongue, celebrating with a triumphant roar and a hug from Pant.
- Jaiswal’s Grit: Overcame cramps to score a 144-ball ton, carving Brydon Carse for back-to-back fours.
- England’s Struggle: The hosts’ bowling, led by Chris Woakes (0/60) and Shoaib Bashir (0/55), lacked penetration, with Tongue and Carse unable to maintain consistent lengths.
Context and Significance
Gill, India’s 37th Test captain and fifth-youngest at 25 years and 285 days, faced scrutiny due to his modest Test average of 35.05 before this match. His century, his first outside Asia, silenced doubters and underlined his readiness to succeed Kohli at No. 4. India, aiming for their first Test series win in England since 2007, capitalized on a pitch that flattened out after early swing, defying Headingley’s reputation for favoring teams bowling first (six consecutive Tests won by the bowling side).
What’s Next?
With rain forecast for Day 2, India will look to Gill and Pant to extend their dominance, while England’s Bazball approach, led by Stokes, Joe Root, and Harry Brook, will aim to counterattack. The series, dubbed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, promises a thrilling contest as both teams vie for early WTC points.
