 "Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill celebrate after the former's ton on Day 1. Image: Reuters")
India have begun their first Test series in the post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli era with a strong performance in the opening Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. With both Rohit and Kohli having recently retired from red-ball cricket, many fans and experts were concerned about how the Indian batting line-up would deal without their two senior-most players.
However, those fears were quickly put to rest on Day 1 as the new-look batting order stepped up and showcased their strength. India, under the leadership of new Test captain Shubman Gill, looked composed and confident as they dominated Day 1 after being asked to bat first by England on a hot and sunny day. India ended the day with a strong 359/3 in 85 overs on the board.
India’s new era begins with a bang
The stars of the day were Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, with both scoring fluent centuries. Jaiswal started the show by hitting 101 off 159 balls. This was Jaiswal’s fifth Test century and his first in England. He looked in complete control as he targetted England bowlers all around the park before getting bowled by Ben Stokes just after reaching his hundred.
Captain Shubman Gill also impressed with his batting, just as he had promised during the pre-match press conference. He led from the front with an unbeaten 127 off 175 balls, showing solid technique and calmness under pressure. This is his first Test innings as India’s new captain, and he seems to be relishing the responsibility, like his predecessor Virat Kohli, who also scored a century on his captaincy debut.
Top-order fires with the bat
KL Rahul, another senior figure in the team, also played a crucial role with a composed 42 off 78 balls. His partnership with Jaiswal at the top of the order early in the day gave India a steady start. Rahul looked in great touch before he was dismissed by Brydon Carse while attempting a drive that went straight to Joe Root at slips. Even though Rahul looked a bit frustrated with himself after getting out, he had done his job as an opener by seeing off the new ball.
After the third wicket, Rishabh Pant joined Gill in the middle and has looked solid so far. He is playing in the usual Rishabh Pant style and is currently batting on 65 off 102 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving and providing good support to his captain. In the process of reaching his fifty, Pant completed 3000 Test runs and became the second quickest wicketkeeper-batter after Adam Gilchrist to do so.
The only blip for India on the opening day was debutant Sai Sudharsan, who fell for a four-ball duck right after Rahul’s dismissal in the first session. Despite that, the transition from the Rohit-Kohli era on Day 1 of the 1st Test has shown that the next generation of Indian batters is ready to take up the challenge.