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Ayushi Singh

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Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal

India vs England: Gill and Jaiswal headline Day 1 with respective tons

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal headlined the opening day for India (Photo - X)

The new group leading the charge for India exceeded expectations as they took on England at Headingley. The opening day of the first India vs England Test witnessed the brilliance of the next-gen Indian batters. Yashasvi Jaiswal is scripting a unique legacy, indicating the rise of another generational talent for India. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill marked a historic start to his captaincy tenure, notching a ton at Leeds. England managed to strike in the first session, claiming two wickets right before the lunch call. However, the attack overall lacked sharpness, as India never truly looked on the back foot on the first day of the opening fixture.

India keep the hosts mum to kick off the India vs England series at Leeds

The first India vs England Test opened up to a pleasant day in Leeds, as the sun shone brightly. The pitch looked on the drier side with the grass chopped off to measure just 9 mm. The conditions hinted at an advantage for the team that chose to bat first. However, Ben Stokes, the Bazball merchant, opted to bowl first. Shubman Gill, taking the mark in his first match as India's Test captain, noted that the conditions looked fine to get out there with the bat in hand. The young captain proved right as India got off to a strong opening stand at Leeds.

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in impressive flow, mitigating whatever little attack the English bowling lineup threw at them. Chris Woakes opened the attack for England, with Brydon Carse following in. Though the initial phase seemed to assist swing a bit, the English bowlers could not capitalize on the new ball. The new ball was tackled well by the Indian opening duo. The trio of Woakes, Carse, and Josh Tongue prodded with different lengths, even taking their chances with fuller deliveries. 

However, Jaiswal and KL Rahul had their eyes set, gauging the deliveries well and answering accordingly. KL Rahul left the rippers alone, and Jaiswal went after the strays as the visitors neared a 100-run stand for the opening wicket. However, just minutes before the end of the first session, focus wobbled. KL Rahul, who had been leaving the deliveries well, fell into the trap and edged one out to Root at first slip as Carse drew first blood. The wicket was a disappointing one, as Rahul looked in fine form to go big. However, his knock concluded at 42 off 78. England built further on their late-gained momentum as they grouped up against debutant Sai Sudharsan.

Sai's Test debut was marked by a 4-ball duck, as the newcomer was undone by a leg slip and a leg gully. The youngster tested the waters with a half-hearted attempt at a hit, only for the cherry to end up in the hands of Jamie Smith at slip. While the first session looked entirely in India's control, England found inroads mere minutes before lunch, scalping two quick wickets.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill stamp visitor's domination with impressive tons on Day 1 of the India vs England Test

The opening day of the India vs England Test was fated to witness the brilliance of Yashasvi Jaiswal and India's new Test captain, Shubman Gill. Yashasvi Jaiswal made his Test debut against England, but at home. His debut was one record-breaking Test entry, as the batter piled over 700 runs across the five matches, including a double ton. Coming back to the present, it was Jaiswal's debut on English soil. However, the youngster kept up his impressive record of opening up on foreign soil with a century. His West Indies debut began with a ton. Jaiswal marked his arrival in Australia with a century. The trend continued as Jaiswal hit a century at Leeds to roar his arrival in England.

Yashasvi Jaiswal became the first Indian opener to hit a Test century at Leeds. However, curtains were drawn on his brilliant knock soon after, as Ben Stokes found the stumps behind the youngster with a ripper. Jaiswal departed at 101 off 159. The focus then shifted to Shubman Gill, who could not have found a better way to announce the start of his captaincy era. Gill's numbers in overseas conditions didnโ€™t support his appointment as leader, leaving room for doubts to grow.

However, one of the youngest players to claim India's captaincy, Shubman Gill shut down the naysayers with his splendid knock. Gill charged fluently against the English attack, which had turned meek by then. After notching his quickest Test half-century, off just 56 balls, Gill headed to his sixth Test ton. The century at Leeds marked the first overseas ton for the Indian captain. Moreover, the hundred brought Gill into the league of the legendary Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli, as the 25-year-old became the fifth Indian to kick off his captaincy tenure with a century.

Meanwhile, the opening day featured Rishabh Pant in his quintessential flamboyant style. The Indian vice-captain charged to hit a boundary over the head of the English captain on just his second delivery. Stokes had nothing to do but laugh at the audacity of the Indian. Well before stumps were called, Pant reached his fifty as India erased whatever semblance of a comeback the hosts had earned earlier in the day. The last over featured Pant hitting Woakes for a six before India closed off the opening day at 359/3. Day 2 will start with captain Shubman Gill at 127 off 175 and vice-captain Rishabh Pant at 65 off 102.

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