Shubman Gill’s Unbeaten 114 Puts India in Control Against England
Man, what a day of Test cricket! If you missed it, you missed something special—Shubman Gill batting like he owns the place. The kid stayed not out on 114 as India finished Day 1 at 310/5. And let’s not forget Jadeja’s gritty 41 that kept things ticking. England? Well, they’ve got some thinking to do tonight.
How the Day Played Out
India’s top order did the job—not perfectly, but good enough. Lost a couple early, but that’s Test cricket for you. Gill though? Different class. Played within himself when needed, then opened up just enough to keep the scoreboard moving. And Jadeja? The guy’s a proper all-rounder now—41 runs without breaking a sweat. England’s bowling had moments—Anderson and Broad always do—but too many loose balls. Plus, they dropped Gill when he was on 60-something. Costly.
Gill’s Knock: Why It Mattered
Here’s the thing about Gill’s innings—it wasn’t flashy. Just solid, proper Test batting. Left the ball well, punished anything loose (especially through the off side, his favorite area), and built partnerships when it mattered. Fourth Test ton for him, first in England. Big statement that. Shows he’s not just a flat-track bully—the kid can play when it counts.
Jadeja’s Role: More Than Just Support
People talk about Jadeja the bowler, but his batting’s come a long way. Today was proof—41 runs that felt effortless. England tried bouncing him out, but come on—this is Jadeja we’re talking about. The partnership with Gill? 104 runs that basically killed England’s momentum. The kind of innings that doesn’t make headlines but wins matches.
Where England Messed Up
Let me put it this way—they weren’t terrible, just not good enough. Anderson and Broad did their thing, but the others? Meh. Too many four-balls. Fielding was sloppy—that dropped catch might haunt them. And some of those field placements? Defensive doesn’t even begin to describe it. Felt like they were playing not to lose rather than to win.
Moments That Changed the Game
- Morning: India 92/2 at lunch—survived the new ball, set the platform.
- After Lunch: Gill shifted gears, hit some gorgeous boundaries to reach fifty.
- Evening: Jadeja got out, but by then the damage was done. Gill’s century was just the icing.
What’s Next?
India will want 400-plus, no question. Gill could go big—double ton isn’t out of the question. England? They need early wickets, plain and simple. And maybe some better plans—tighten those lines, attack more. Otherwise, they’re looking at a long couple days in the field.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 was India’s, no doubt. Gill announced himself in England, Jadeja did Jadeja things, and England looked… well, not great. If India’s tail wags tomorrow, this could get ugly fast. Pressure’s all on England now.
Quick Stats
- Gill now has 4 Test centuries—half at home, half away. Not bad for a 23-year-old.
- India’s best Day 1 score in England since 2018. Tells you something.
- Jadeja’s batting average since 2022? Over 45. All-rounder, my foot—he’s a proper batter now.
Source: Navbharat Times – Default
