How Did Gill, Jaiswal, and Pant Lead India to an Impressive Start?

Leeds, June 21 (NationPress) Amidst a blend of sunshine and clouds at Headingley, two emerging stars from India's cricketing renaissance put on a dazzling display, each scoring a century and thoroughly outclassing England on the opening day of the newly-established Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The new captain, Shubman Gill, remained unbeaten on a splendid 127, while Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 101 to spearhead India's innings. Additionally, vice-captain Rishabh Pant bolstered the score with an impressive 65 not out, propelling India to a commanding 359/3 in 85 overs after losing the toss, exploiting England's underwhelming bowling attack.

Jaiswal’s century, crafted from 157 balls, marked his first Test century on English soil, third against the hosts, and fifth overall. His innings was a showcase of superb off-side stroke play, effortlessly maneuvering England’s pace bowlers. Meanwhile, Gill’s 127 came off 175 balls, reflecting remarkable poise and an aggressive yet calculated approach, making him the fifth Indian captain to score a century in his debut Test as leader.

He joins an elite group that includes Virat Kohli, who previously played at number four before retiring from Test cricket last month. Pant, known for his explosive batting style, remained unbeaten on 65 off 102 balls, reaching the milestone of 3000 Test runs.

It was a challenging day for England, as their bowlers struggled to make an impact, managing only three wickets, two of which were taken by skipper Ben Stokes.

The partnership between Gill and Jaiswal was a standout feature, accumulating 129 runs without losing a wicket in the second session, while the Gill-Pant duo added 138 runs over 32.3 overs in the final session, firmly placing India in a dominant position at Leeds.

Sent in to bat first, Jaiswal opened India's account with a boundary off Chris Woakes. He grew increasingly confident with each stroke, demonstrating exceptional driving skills through mid-off and cover. K.L. Rahul, after a shaky start, also found his rhythm, showcasing his exquisite cover drives until he fell to a delivery from Carse.

Debutant B. Sai Sudharsan faced a challenging start, nearly falling to an lbw on his first ball and eventually getting dismissed for a duck, leaving England with a glimmer of hope at lunch.

However, the third-wicket pair of Gill and Jaiswal quickly regained control, with Jaiswal achieving his century, celebrated with a single through point. Following tea, Stokes managed to dismiss Jaiswal just after he reached his milestone, but Pant quickly took charge, executing a series of impressive shots.

As the day progressed, Gill raised his Test century on his captaincy debut with a stunning cover drive, marking a remarkable achievement. Meanwhile, Pant's aggressive batting style, coupled with Gill's resilience, culminated in an extraordinary day for Indian cricket.

Brief scores:

India 359/3 in 85 overs (Shubman Gill 127 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 101, Rishabh Pant 65 not out; Ben Stokes 2-43, Brydon Carse 1-70) against England