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Dominant India Seize Control of Headingley on Day 1!

Leeds, June 20, 2025 - India roared into the 2025 Test series against England with an emphatic display on Day 1 at Headingley, reaching a commanding 359/3 at stumps. Centuries from young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill, followed by a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant, put the visitors firmly in the driver's seat. England, after winning the toss and opting to bowl, found themselves on the back foot as India's batters showed resilience and flair.

The Headingley Hype: India's Batting Masterclass Unfolds

The much-anticipated India tour of England kicked off yesterday, June 20th, 2025, at the iconic Headingley in Leeds. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to exploit early morning conditions. However, his plans were quickly dismantled by a determined Indian batting lineup.

The innings began with a solid opening stand between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul played a composed knock of 42 before falling to Brydon Carse, giving England their first breakthrough. The excitement was short-lived as debutant Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for a duck by Ben Stokes, briefly hinting at a potential collapse.

But that was as good as it got for England. From 92/2, the young blood of Indian cricket took over. Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his brilliant form, bringing up a magnificent century (101 off 159 balls), a knock studded with 16 fours and 1 six, before being bowled by skipper Ben Stokes. His innings set the perfect platform for India to build a formidable total.

The true architects of India's dominance, however, were captain Shubman Gill and the ever-dynamic Rishabh Pant. In his first Test as captain, Shubman Gill led from the front with a masterful, unbeaten 127 off 175 deliveries, showcasing exquisite timing and maturity. He found an aggressive partner in Rishabh Pant, who smashed a fluent unbeaten 65 off just 102 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes, providing the late impetus to the innings. Their unbroken partnership frustrated the English bowlers, who toiled hard with little reward.

At the close of play, India stands strong at 359/3 after 85 overs, leaving England with a massive task on Day 2. The pitch, initially expected to offer some assistance to the pacers, has flattened out, and India's batters have capitalized expertly. With Gill and Pant still at the crease, India will be looking to pile on the runs and put the game beyond England's reach.