India vs England 1st Test: Jaiswal's Double Ton and Gill's Century Dominate Headingley Day 1

India’s Top Order Lays Down a Marker in the Series Opener

You don’t often see visiting teams walk into Headingley and instantly steal the show—yet that’s what India did, practically from the first ball. The pitch was cooperative enough for batsmen to look up rather than over their shoulders, but you still need skill and nerve to cash in for 359 runs by stumps in England. That’s exactly what happened on Day 1 of the first Test, as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fireworks at the crease and Shubman Gill’s smooth innings grabbed everyone’s attention.

Let’s start with Jaiswal, who turned a promising start into pure gold. He hammered the England attack on his way to a spectacular 221, handling swing and seam like a seasoned campaigner. At the other end, Gill took a more measured approach, racking up a clinical century packed with flicks, punches, and easy runs between the wickets. Their partnership was at the heart of India’s performance—each shot turning the screws tighter on a frustrated England side.

Early Platform and England’s Troubles

KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan set this all up in the morning. The openers didn’t just survive—they surged to 91 and 92, respectively. Rahul looked cool and collected, picking gaps in the field and barely putting a foot wrong. Sudharsan, making the most of his opportunity, matched his senior partner stroke for stroke. The pair saw off England’s opening burst, then set the tone for what followed.

By midday, England’s quicks had run out of ideas. There was a lot of sweat and not much reward, with India’s batsmen showing discipline and the odd flourish. Overhead, the clouds threatened but they never really disrupted play—just a few light showers, almost as teasing as England’s seamers.

Jaiswal’s batting was something else: hooks, upper-cuts, and crisp drives kept the scoreboard racing. Gill, meanwhile, eased into his work, never trying to match Jaiswal’s pace, but just as dangerous. Once Rahul and Sudharsan departed—one short of a century and the other agonizingly close—the younger duo lifted the tempo. England’s bowlers, from Broad to Woakes and even part-timers, just couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Jasprit Bumrah, usually the destroyer with the ball, barely got a chance as the day belonged entirely to India’s batters. By the end, with 359 runs already posted and 7 wickets still in hand, India couldn’t have asked for a better start.

• India vs England rivalry has often produced drama, but this was dominance.
• Headingley’s pitch, while forgiving, still needs batsmen to earn their runs—India did that and more.
• England’s bowling lacked bite, and their fielders grew increasingly restless as partnerships blossomed.

This Test isn’t just about runs on the board—it’s a statement from India’s top order, and England will need something special to turn things around on Day 2.