IND vs ENG, 1st Test Live: Will Gill score a double century on captaincy debut?

A bright sunny Headingley greeted the new generation of Indian batting talent, and the young stars grabbed their chance.

Jaiswal’s hundred and Gill’s unbeaten ton were testaments to their solid technique and bold stroke-play in foreign conditions.

Rishabh Pant’s late flourish only added to England’s frustration. With Rohit and Kohli gone, sceptics wondered who would step up. Day 1 gave a resounding answer.

On Day 2, the focus shifts to how big India can go. England are without their veteran bowlers and have looked bereft of ideas.

The pitch is still good, and with clear skies, batting looks easier than ever. For fans, it’s a treat to watch India’s fresh batting powerhouse show maturity and flair at the same time.

If Gill converts his ton into a double and Pant stays in beast mode, England might already be staring at a follow-on situation.

This is the new India: fearless, focused, and hungry for big totals abroad.

Ben Stokes made a bold call at the toss, choosing to bowl first at Headingley, hoping early conditions would aid his bowlers. But by stumps on Day 1, India had made that decision look questionable. On a true pitch under clear skies, England’s attack struggled to contain Gill, Jaiswal, and Pant.

The last six Tests here had been won by the team batting second — perhaps that stat tempted Stokes. But without his premier quicks and with little help from the surface, the gamble backfired badly. Now, the hosts are staring at the daunting prospect of chasing a massive Indian total.

Day 2 becomes a make-or-break morning: early breakthroughs are vital to justify the decision. If India’s batters pile on for another session, England could spend two days chasing leather.

Stokes’ aggressive captaincy is usually spot on, but this time, it might cost England heavily. Can they recover today, or is it too late already?

India’s solid position on Day 2 wouldn’t have been possible without the composed opening partnership of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal on Day 1.

The pair added 91 for the first wicket — India’s most stable start in recent away Tests. Rahul looked solid for his 42 before edging to slip just before lunch. Jaiswal, however, carried on with a fearless yet patient knock, crafting a classy 101 — his first in England.

This opening stand blunted the new ball, laid a foundation, and gave Gill and Pant the freedom to build on. Today, India will aim to cash in on this platform. A huge first innings can put England under scoreboard pressure right from ball one when they bat.

For Rahul, it might be bittersweet to miss out on a big one, but his contribution was vital. As Day 2 unfolds, India’s opening stand might be remembered as the quiet start that triggered a dominant show.

Day 1 brutally exposed England’s bowling gaps. Without the swing master James Anderson, the skill of Stuart Broad, and the raw pace of Archer and Wood, the hosts looked toothless against India’s disciplined top order.

Woakes and Carse tried hard but lacked consistency. Skipper Stokes was the best bowler, bagging two wickets, but he needs more support. On Day 2, England’s biggest hope is the morning freshness and any lingering moisture on the Headingley pitch.

Early wickets are non-negotiable if they wish to claw back. But with Gill set and Pant in beast mode, India could take the game beyond England’s reach in one session. The fielders need to lift their energy, too, after some sloppy moments on Day 1.

Will the hosts find a way to break the Gill-Pant wall? Or will the absence of their pace stalwarts haunt them again? A testing day lies ahead for Stokes and his bowlers.

Before this series, questions loomed: could India handle England’s conditions without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?

Day 1 emphatically answered that. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill showed that the next generation is ready to take over. Jaiswal’s stylish 101 and Gill’s commanding unbeaten 127 highlighted not just raw talent but maturity and temperament too.

While Jaiswal fell to a peach from Stokes, Gill calmly carried on. Pant’s late assault was the icing on the cake. Day 2 now offers these young stars a chance to drive home their advantage and pile misery on England.

If Gill and Pant keep going, India could post a total well beyond 500 — a dream platform for the bowlers. For a team missing its biggest names, this performance so far shows depth, class and courage.

This is India’s new batting era on show — fearless yet disciplined. Will the young guns maintain the momentum? Keep watching as a new chapter unfolds!

Rishabh Pant is the last batter any struggling bowling side wants to see — and England found that out late on Day 1.

The wicketkeeper-batter raced to an unbeaten 65, including a trademark audacious six off Chris Woakes in the day’s final over.

Pant’s approach today will be crucial: if he keeps attacking and unsettles England’s already rattled bowlers, India’s lead could become insurmountable very quickly.

For England, early morning seam movement is their best chance to remove him before he cuts loose again. But Pant thrives on scoring quickly and loves unsettling the bowlers’ rhythm. His fearless batting is also a perfect foil to Gill’s calm accumulation at the other end.

Together, they’ve already added 138 runs for the fourth wicket. If Pant unleashes another counterpunch, Headingley might witness another bruising session for the hosts.

Can England contain him? Or will Pant’s fireworks shut them out completely? Follow this live as Day 2 unfolds.

Shubman Gill couldn’t have scripted a better start to his Test captaincy journey. The young batting sensation stood tall on Day 1, notching up an elegant unbeaten 127 — his first century as captain.

Now, as India resume at 359/3, all eyes will be on whether Gill can convert his sixth Test hundred into a mammoth double. A double century on captaincy debut would be a rare feat in international cricket and stamp his authority as India’s new leader after Rohit and Kohli.

At the other end, Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting complements Gill’s calmness perfectly. England’s bowlers are under immense pressure to stop the run flow and break this dangerous stand early.

With a good pitch, clear skies, and two set batters, India holds all the cards. If Gill gets going, records could tumble today.

Can the new skipper join the elite list of Indian double centurions in England? Stay tuned as history could unfold at Headingley.

Headingley has witnessed some epic turnarounds in the past, and England will need one today to bounce back.

After India dominated Day 1 thanks to centuries from Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, plus a counter-attacking Rishabh Pant, Ben Stokes’ men must strike early to prevent a gigantic first-innings total. England’s pacers looked toothless yesterday on a batting-friendly track under the sun.

Without Anderson, Broad, and injured quicks Archer and Wood, the burden lies on Woakes, Carse, and Tongue to find magic with the new ball. Meanwhile, India’s overnight pair — Gill (127*) and Pant (65*) — will want to press on, scoring freely to bat England completely out.

If England can grab quick wickets this morning, they might still keep themselves alive in the match. A big opening hour awaits! Will Headingley magic repeat itself for the hosts? Or will India tighten their grip even more? Follow all the Day 2 twists here!

After a dominant Day 1 at Headingley, India will look to bat England out of the game on Day 2. Shubman Gill, unbeaten on 127, and the flamboyant Rishabh Pant, on 65*, hold the key as they continue their unbroken 138-run stand.

England’s depleted bowling attack, missing big names like Anderson and Archer, struggled yesterday and will be desperate for early breakthroughs this morning. Gill’s captaincy debut couldn’t have started better, while Pant’s aggressive counter-punch late on Day 1 left England on the back foot.

If these two carry on, India’s total could easily cross 500, putting immense scoreboard pressure on Stokes’ men. With clear skies forecast, batting conditions should remain favourable.

However, the pitch might offer some early movement for Woakes and company. All eyes will be on whether England’s bowlers can find inspiration to claw their way back. Stay tuned as Day 2 promises high-class batting and a stern test for England.