Shubman Gill scored a gritty 114* as India ended Day 1 at 310/5 in the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Gill and Jadeja’s unbeaten partnership of 99 rescued India after a middle-order slump, with Jaiswal also contributing 87. Chris Woakes led England’s bowling with two wickets.
India’s stand-in Test captain Shubman Gill showcased his steely resolve and technical mastery to lead India to a strong position of 310/5 at stumps on Day One of the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test against England at Edgbaston. The young skipper remained unbeaten on a commanding 114, marking his seventh Test hundred and his second in consecutive matches as captain.
Batting under clear skies and bright sunshine, Gill came to the crease determined to build on his impressive 147 in Headingley, and he did so with remarkable patience and maturity. His 216-ball innings, studded with 12 well-timed boundaries, was a masterclass in concentration and controlled aggression. This century is Gill’s fourth against England and makes him only the second Indian captain, after Mohammad Azharuddin, to score centuries in back-to-back Tests on English soil. He also becomes the third Indian skipper, following Azharuddin and Vijay Hazare, to score centuries in consecutive Tests against England overall.
India’s innings began with promise as young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his rich vein of form, playing an entertaining knock of 87. He set the tone early, confidently driving and pulling to put the English bowlers under pressure. However, India lost momentum mid-way, slipping to 211/5 as England clawed their way back into the game through disciplined bowling.
The turning point came with the arrival of Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. Partnering with Gill, the experienced all-rounder forged an unbeaten 99-run stand for the sixth wicket. Jadeja’s contribution of 41 not out, full of calm assurance, helped steady the ship and guide India to a dominant position by the end of the day.
England’s bowling effort was led by local favourite Chris Woakes, who finished the day with figures of 2/59. Woakes bowled with discipline and consistency, and was unlucky not to have more wickets to his name, with DRS calls not falling in his favour. Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir chipped in with a wicket each.
The day’s play included a few moments of drama. After the tea break, a replacement ball had to be brought in after the original ball got stuck in the gauge. The change seemed to briefly affect England’s rhythm as Gill took the opportunity to step up the scoring. He used his feet effectively, particularly against spin, and reached his fifty with a confident four off Bashir.
England struck back when Bashir lured Rishabh Pant into a big shot with a flighted delivery, which the wicketkeeper-batter mishit straight to long-on after scoring 25. Soon after, Chris Woakes dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy with a brilliant delivery that nipped back in to hit the top of off-stump.
But Gill remained resolute. He drove Brydon Carse elegantly through the covers and pulled Stokes confidently, showing no signs of pressure despite the fall of quick wickets. As the partnership with Jadeja grew, England tried to unsettle the pair with short-pitched deliveries, but the plan didn’t yield results.
| Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz cruises into Wimbledon 2025 third round with dominant win |
Gill’s hundred came in trademark style. He reached the milestone in 199 balls, sweeping Joe Root for consecutive boundaries and celebrating with a roar and a humble bow. It was a moment that highlighted not just his form, but his growth as a leader capable of holding the team together.
With the second new ball in play during the final overs, both Gill and Jadeja continued to score confidently, ensuring India finished the day with momentum on their side.
Brief Scores:
India 310/5 in 85 overs (Shubman Gill 114*; Yashasvi Jaiswal 87; Chris Woakes 2/59, Brydon Carse 1/49) vs England.
