Team India capped off a near-perfect Day 1 at Headingley, closing on a commanding 359 for 3 in the first Test against England. Captain Shubman Gill, unbeaten on a sublime 127, will walk out on Day 2 alongside vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who is cruising on 65*. Their unbroken 138-run stand has placed India in a position of strength, but the new ball looms as an early threat.
The Toss That Turned
England captain Ben Stokes surprised many when he chose to bowl first under sunny Leeds skies. The decision raised eyebrows, with several observers believing the surface was ideal for batting. England, however, backed their instincts.
The colour and the moisture on the pitch made the call straightforward,” explained Tim Southee, England’s specialist skill consultant.
Interestingly, Shubman Gill later revealed he would have made the same choice had the toss gone India’s way. But once play began, it was India who seized the initiative.
Gill’s Calm in the Crucible
India’s innings was built on a solid foundation by KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, followed by crucial contributions from debutant Sai Sudharsan. However, it was the post-lunch phase where the momentum could’ve easily shifted. Two quick wickets had pegged India back when Gill walked in—a moment demanding composure, clarity, and character.
Gill delivered all three in spades.
He absorbed early pressure, rotated strike, and gradually blossomed into his fluent best. His innings combined elegance with authority, stitched together with 16 fours and a towering six, and underscored by a deep sense of readiness.
Preparation Meets Opportunity
The signs were there the previous evening. In his pre-match net session, Gill was deliberate. He started with throwdowns before facing Arshdeep Singh and two local net bowlers—a right-arm quick and a left-arm wrist spinner, simulating England’s variety.
But it was what came last that stood out.
He spent the final 20 minutes of his session facing a shiny, fresh Dukes ball—an act of foresight that now feels almost prophetic. When play resumes, the England bowlers will have that very weapon—still new, just five overs old. It’s a test Gill has rehearsed for.
Southee echoed that mindset from England’s camp:
We’ve got the new ball. Let’s make the most of it in the morning.
Following in Legendary Footsteps
Gill’s innings already evokes memories of two iconic No. 4s at Headingley. In 1986, Dilip Vengsarkar stood tall with an unbeaten 102, anchoring a historic Indian victory. In 2002, it was Sachin Tendulkar, whose majestic 193 headlined India’s imposing 628 and a thumping innings win.
Now, 23 years later, another No. 4 is writing his own chapter at the same venue.
The Morning After: What Awaits
With India on 359/3, the stage is set for the visitors to build a mammoth total. But first, Shubman Gill must navigate the one test he specifically prepared for—the new ball in the cool Headingley morning.
Can he push on and convert this into a double century? Can England strike early and claw their way back into the contest?
Day 2 begins not just with a ball in hand—but with a question hanging in the air.
