The India vs. England Test series has begun, and all eyes are on Shubman Gill, who is captaining the Indian side for the first time in a Test match. With the stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin having recently retired, Gill is leading a transitioning team, ushering in a new era for Indian Test cricket. The first Test at Headingley has already provided glimpses of what this new era might look like, with Gill leading from the front with a magnificent century.
On the first day of the Test, Gill demonstrated exceptional leadership and batting prowess. After England won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that initially seemed questionable, Gill, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, steadied the Indian innings. India reached a commanding position of 359 for 3 at stumps. Gill remained unbeaten on 127 off 175 deliveries, his innings decorated with 16 fours and a six. This was his sixth Test century overall and his first as captain, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Gill's composed and elegant strokeplay was the highlight of the day. He timed the ball beautifully and found gaps with ease, showcasing his ability to learn from previous deliveries. After reaching his half-century in just 56 balls, he briefly slowed down near the 90s but soon regained his momentum to reach his century.
Yashasvi Jaiswal also played a crucial role, scoring a century of his own. He became the first Indian batter to score centuries in his debut Tests in both Australia and England. Jaiswal's aggressive intent, combined with Gill's cautious approach, helped India dominate the first day.
The unbroken partnership between Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant further solidified India's position. Pant, who is currently batting on 65, provided solid support and survived some early nervous moments to complete a composed half-century.
India's strong performance on the first day can be attributed to the new leadership and the fresh talent in the team. Gill's captaincy debut has been impressive, silencing critics and proving his ability to perform under pressure. His rock-solid batting and second international ton were the story of the day. Moreover, Gill has proven his ability to play Test cricket overseas, especially at number four, which seems to be a much better entry point for him.
England's bowling attack struggled to break through on a relatively flat pitch. Despite the conditions seemingly favoring the batting side, England's decision to bowl first did not pay off as they had hoped. The English bowlers will need to come up with something special in the remaining sessions to halt India's charge.
As India resumes on 359/3 on Day 2, they will be aiming for a huge total. England, on the other hand, will be looking to make early inroads with the second new ball. The Test series has just begun, and with Shubman Gill at the helm, India looks set to make a strong statement in the world of Test cricket.
