The first Test of India’s 2025 tour of England at Headingley, Leeds, kicked off on June 20 with all the drama and intensity expected from a clash between these cricketing giants. With a new-look Indian side under the bold leadership of 25-year-old Shubman Gill and an England team eager to assert dominance at home, the opening two days of this five-match series have already delivered a captivating contest. As we head into Day 3, the match hangs in a delicate balance, with India holding a slight edge but England fighting back fiercely, thanks to Ollie Pope’s gritty century.
Day 1: India’s Top Order Shines Bright
India’s decision to bat first after winning the toss on a dry Headingley pitch set the tone for a day of dominance. The absence of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from Test cricket last month, loomed large, but the young Indian batting lineup rose to the occasion. Yashasvi Jaiswal, fresh off a prolific home series against England last year, anchored the innings with a composed 101 off 158 balls. His century, marked by a disciplined approach and a crisp cover drive to reach the milestone, signaled his intent to torment England again in their backyard.
Captain Shubman Gill, leading India for the first time in Tests, played an innings of immense character. His 127* off 175 balls by stumps was a masterclass in blending caution with aggression. Gill’s sixth Test hundred, and his first as skipper, earned him a place among an elite group of Indian captains, including Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli, who scored centuries on their leadership debut. A 129-run partnership between Gill and Jaiswal for the third wicket steadied India after a brief wobble at 92/2, following the dismissals of KL Rahul (42) and debutant B Sai Sudharsan (0).
Rishabh Pant, India’s mercurial wicketkeeper-batter, joined Gill in the final session to push India to 359/3 at stumps. Pant’s unbeaten 65 off 102 balls, punctuated by a audacious six off Chris Woakes, hinted at the fireworks to come. England’s bowlers, led by Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue, toiled on a flat surface, but their inconsistent lines allowed India to dictate terms. As the sun set on a glorious June day, India’s fans were buzzing with optimism about a massive first-innings total.
Day 2: Twists, Turns, and Bumrah’s Brilliance
Day 2 began with India resuming at 359/3, and Pant didn’t disappoint. His thrill-a-minute 134, studded with six sixes, was a one-man show that took India to a commanding 471. Pant’s seventh Test century, his third in England, reaffirmed his status as India’s greatest wicketkeeper-batter in the format, as noted by commentator Dinesh Karthik. Gill added 20 runs to his overnight score, falling for 147, while the lower order crumbled, losing seven wickets for 41 runs. Ben Stokes (4/66) and Tongue (4/86) led England’s fightback, exposing a potential vulnerability in India’s middle order that sharper teams might exploit later in the series.
England’s reply started under gloomy skies, with floodlights on and a scoreboard flashing India’s imposing 471. Jasprit Bumrah, India’s talisman, struck with his sixth delivery, removing Zak Crawley for 4 with a delivery that swung in and seamed away to find the edge. However, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope counterattacked with a 122-run stand for the second wicket. Duckett’s 62 was fluent but fortunate, surviving a dropped catch by Ravindra Jadeja and a missed opportunity due to a lack of a fourth slip. Pope, under scrutiny at No. 3, played with courage, reaching his ninth Test century (100* off 131 balls) with a thick inside edge that rolled to safety.
Bumrah, India’s lone warrior with the ball, returned to dismiss Duckett and Joe Root (28) late in the day, finishing with 3/48. Root’s edge to Karun Nair at first slip marked the 10th time Bumrah has dismissed him in Tests, a remarkable statistic. A dramatic final over saw Bumrah nearly trap Harry Brook (0*), only for a no-ball to reprieve him. At 209/3, England trailed by 262 runs at stumps, with Pope and Brook at the crease. India’s fielding lapses and lack of support for Bumrah allowed England to claw back into the game, setting up a pivotal Day 3.
As Day 3 dawns, England trail by 216 runs at 255/4, with Pope and Brook looking to trim the deficit further. The pitch, offering movement and uneven bounce, promises more challenges for the batsmen, but India’s bowlers, particularly Bumrah, will need support from Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna to dismantle England’s middle order. Shubman Gill’s captaincy will be tested as he juggles his bowling resources and fields to curb England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach.
For England, Pope’s form and Brook’s potential to accelerate could bring them closer to India’s total, but losing early wickets could tilt the game decisively in India’s favor. With three days left, a result is likely, and India will aim to capitalize on their first-innings lead to take a 1-0 advantage in the series.
Final Thoughts
The first two days of this Test have showcased the beauty of red-ball cricket: centuries, collapses, fiery bowling, and moments of brilliance. Shubman Gill’s leadership, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maturity, Rishabh Pant’s audacity, and Jasprit Bumrah’s genius have given India a strong start, but Ollie Pope’s resilience has kept England in the hunt. As the series unfolds, this Test at Headingley will be remembered as the dawn of a new era for Indian cricket, with young stars stepping up in the absence of legends.