Gill and Pant Dominate Day One as India Makes Early Statement
Cricket fans at Headingley were treated to a high-class display as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant gave India a dream start in the first Test against England. Gill was a rock at the crease, carrying his bat to an unbeaten 127 by the end of play. Pant, always the entertainer, played his shots with flair and composure, reaching 65 not out by stumps. India closed day one at a commanding 359 for 3, seizing the momentum early and putting England's bowlers on the back foot from the outset.
It wasn’t just the runs that stood out—it was the way Gill and Pant handled the English bowling attack at Leeds. Gill’s approach was calm yet assertive, picking gaps and punishing anything remotely loose. Pant, as usual, mixed calculated risk with sound judgement, adding an extra gear when India needed to push on. Their partnership not only cushioned India from early blows but also set the stage for a big first-innings score, with India barely three wickets down after 85 overs.
Explosive Second Innings and Rahul’s Heroics Put England Under Pressure
But the story didn’t end there. In the second innings, KL Rahul stepped up to anchor proceedings with a fighting 137, holding the innings together when early wickets threatened to crack India’s confidence. Pant wasn’t done either—he unleashed his full range and blasted 118, etching his name in the record books as the first Indian wicketkeeper to hit two centuries in a Test on English soil. Their 195-run partnership was pure gold, blunting England’s attack and swallowing up valuable time while adding to the scoreboard with intent. By the time India declared at 364, the hosts were staring down the barrel of a 371-run chase on a pitch starting to misbehave.
If you thought India was bossing it, England’s openers showed they weren't about to be bulldozed. With their backs against the wall, Zak Crawley came out swinging, putting on over 50, while Ben Duckett was fearless in attack. Their stand was electric— by the time rain interrupted the session, they had motored to 184 without loss, raising English hopes of an unlikely victory. When they finally returned to the field, Prasidh Krishna made a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Crawley, but Duckett, now past three figures, held the fort and refused to let the pressure eat away at England’s dwindling chances.
India’s bowlers found themselves frustrated, unable to tie down England’s openers who stuck to their ‘Bazball’ mentality—aggressive, risk-taking, and always looking for quick runs. Meanwhile, earlier in the match, it’d been England’s Joshua Tongue grabbing headlines with a stunning seven-wicket haul, reminding everyone that bowlers too could dictate proceedings in this see-sawing contest.
Heading into the final session, England needs 187 more runs with 55 overs in hand. Duckett’s solid ton is steadying the ship, but with Crawley back in the shed, pressure mounts on England’s middle order. The pitch is wearing, nerves are jangling, and every ball now holds the promise of drama. For India, it’s about holding their nerve, executing plans, and making the most of what’s left on a surface that could turn any minute. For England, the dream of pulling off a record chase at Headingley is alive, but hanging in the balance.