How did Jaiswal achieve a remarkable century as India outclassed England on Day 1?

New Delhi, June 21 (NationPress) Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrated his inaugural Test century on English soil with a performance that combined calmness and aggression, positioning India strongly at 359/3 in 85 overs during Day 1 of the first Test against England in Leeds.

After the day's play, Jaiswal shared his thoughts with Star Sports, stating, “We engaged in extensive preparation before arriving here. It was incredibly enjoyable to play, and I felt great while batting. I gained a lot of experience.”

He also acknowledged the influence of senior batter KL Rahul during their 91-run opening partnership. “KL Rahul is highly seasoned. I learn a lot from our discussions - identifying scoring opportunities and how to sustain the innings. It was a fantastic experience batting alongside him,” he remarked, emphasizing their bond formed during India A tours and pre-series training.

Jaiswal's score of 101 off 157 balls showcased his skill in shot selection and mental resilience, particularly on the off side, where he elegantly cut and drove the English bowlers. He was involved in a significant 129-run partnership with new captain Shubman Gill, whose unbeaten 127 guided India to a strong 359/3 at stumps. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant contributed a dynamic 65 not out as the English bowlers struggled under intense Indian pressure.

The 22-year-old opener explained his mental strategy during his innings: “I strive to give myself ample time to execute my shots. I focus on being mentally prepared and aim to bat for the longest possible duration. When I feel established, I make an effort to take it deep and continue until the end,” Jaiswal shared.

Gill, marking his first Test as captain, joined an exclusive group by scoring a century in his captaincy debut, following in the footsteps of Virat Kohli, who retired from the format last month. His score of 127* off 175 balls was characterized by patience, strategic aggression, and graceful stroke play, particularly through the covers and midwicket.

Pant, known for his flamboyance, added excitement to India's innings in the final session. His 65* off 102 balls included audacious shots — including a daring slap over Ben Stokes' head — and his achievement of 3000 Test runs added to the celebratory atmosphere of the day.

Conversely, England faced difficulties as Ben Stokes took two of the three wickets, including a sharp delivery that dismissed Jaiswal after tea. However, their bowling attack lacked effectiveness — a situation that India fully capitalized on. Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse were either inconsistent or failed to trouble the established batters, while debutant Shoaib Bashir, though promising, couldn’t halt the flow of runs.

India's innings commenced positively with Rahul and Jaiswal confronting the new ball bowlers. Rahul, who appeared fluent before a loose drive led to his dismissal for 42, displayed his signature cover drives, establishing a solid foundation. However, debutant B Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for a four-ball duck, flicking a delivery down the leg side off Stokes.

Pant and Gill accelerated the innings in the final session with calculated strokes and aggressive intent. Gill reached his second overseas Test century with a powerful cover drive, while Pant's six off Woakes capped a near-perfect day for the visitors.