Team India wrapped up a dominant opening day in the first Test against England at Headingley, finishing at a commanding 275 for 3. After being invited to bat first under sunny conditions, the Indian batters capitalized on a relatively flat pitch to lay a strong foundation for the series.
England captain Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first seemed promising early on, as pacer Brydon Carse made quick inroads by dismissing KL Rahul for a solid 42 and newcomer Sai Sudharsan for a duck. These early wickets briefly gave the hosts an edge before India mounted a strong counterattack.
The highlight of the day came from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who crafted a gritty and elegant century his fifth in Test cricket. Despite suffering a visible hand injury, Jaiswal displayed remarkable composure and stroke play, reaching 101 before being dismissed. His innings played a key role in anchoring India’s response after the early wobble.
India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill also rose to the occasion with a fluent and unbeaten 90, marking his first half-century on English soil. His knock combined restraint and aggression, helping stabilize the innings alongside Rishabh Pant, who remained not out on 24 at stumps. Together, the duo put together an unbroken partnership that left England’s bowlers frustrated in the final session.
England’s bowling attack, including Chris Woakes, Shoaib Bashir, and Carse, struggled for consistency. Stokes, who bowled extended spells, managed two wickets but couldn’t stem the flow of runs as India maintained a scoring rate near four per over.
By the end of Day One, India had not only recovered from early setbacks but also stamped their authority on the match. With seven wickets in hand and two set batsmen at the crease, India looks poised to post a formidable total. England will need early breakthroughs on Day Two to regain control and prevent the visitors from running away with the Test.