India’s debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal made a remarkable impression on his first Test innings in England, scoring a superb century, while captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on fifty as the visitors took control of the series opener at Headingley on Friday.
India started strongly after being sent into bat, dominating most of the morning session. However, they lost two quick wickets towards the end of the session, finishing on 92 for two.
By the end of the first day’s play, India had regained momentum, sitting comfortably at 215 for two. Jaiswal, 23, was unbeaten on 100, his maiden Test century, while Gill, in his first innings as captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, was also in excellent form on 58 not out.
The two shared an unbroken partnership of 123 runs in 25.2 overs, with India going through the second session without losing a wicket, firmly in control of the game.
England captain Ben Stokes opted to bowl first, a decision possibly influenced by the fact that the last six Tests at Headingley have all been won by the team batting second. This strategy meant England avoided facing India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah at the outset.
The decision also gave England an opportunity to challenge India’s top order, which was missing key experienced batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom retired from Test cricket within days of each other last month.
However, with a bowling attack missing legendary bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and also Jofra Archer and Mark Wood who are injured, England’s bowlers struggled to pose a serious threat on what appeared to be a good pitch for batting.
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