Shubman Gill’s Ton Puts India in Driver’s Seat Against England
Man, what a day of Test cricket! If you missed it, you missed some proper fireworks. India ended Day 1 at 310/5, and guess who’s back in the headlines? That’s right—Shubman Gill with another century. Kid’s on fire these days. But let me break it down for you, because there’s more to this than just the scorecard.
India’s Day? Pretty Much.
So here’s how it went down. Openers gave us a solid start—none of that shaky 20/2 nonsense we sometimes see overseas. Rohit did his thing with a quick 38 before nicking one. But the real show? Gill and Jaiswal. Those two were batting like they owned the place. Jaiswal especially—87 runs of pure entertainment. Twelve fours and a six! But then, typical young batsman stuff—got greedy outside off and paid the price. Gill though? Different gravy. Finished the day not out on 104. And Jadeja’s there too, lurking at 45*. England’s bowlers looked… well, let’s just say they’ll need more than cups of tea to recover from this.
Gill’s Coming of Age Story
Remember when people said Gill wasn’t cut out for Tests? Yeah, about that. Back-to-back centuries now, and this one was special. Not just the runs, but how he got them. Early on, he was leaving anything outside off like his life depended on it. Then once he was set—boom—boundaries at will. Eleven of them, actually. Strike rate near 70 in a Test match? That’s the kind of balance that makes coaches smile. And social media? Lost its mind. Rightfully so.
Jaiswal’s “What Could’ve Been” Innings
Here’s the thing about Yashasvi—when he’s on, he’s must-watch cricket. Today was one of those days. Flamboyant drives, cheeky cuts, even a six over midwicket that had the crowd oohing. But then, classic young gun mistake. Chased a wide one on 87 when three figures were right there. You could see the frustration as he walked off. Technical flaw? Maybe. But honestly, I’d take 87 any day. Just needs to learn when to switch gears.
The Ball Change Drama
Okay, this was weird. Last session, umpires suddenly decide the ball’s too scuffed up and swap it out. England players looked like they’d bitten into a lemon. And guess what? New ball didn’t swing half as much. Coincidence that Gill and Jadeja were settled by then? Former players are already calling it suspect. Reminds me of that Jo’burg Test in 2018—same controversy, different match. These things have a way of influencing games more than we admit.
England’s Uphill Battle
Let’s be real—310/5 isn’t where England wanted India. Anderson got a couple, Wood too, but they were expensive. Spinners? Might as well have been bowling with a wet sock. Tomorrow’s crucial—if India crosses 400, game’s practically over. England needs early wickets, then their batters have to go big. Root and Stokes can do damage, but that pitch isn’t getting easier. Pressure’s all on the hosts now.
What Stood Out Today:
- Gill making the #3 spot his own—no debate left
- Jaiswal’s 87 proving he’s not just a white-ball wonder
- England’s fielding… yikes. Two drops that cost them
- That ball change—gonna hear more about this
Tomorrow’s Game Plan
India wants 400, minimum. Jadeja’s key—if he sticks around, they might push 450. England’s only hope? Wickets in the first hour. Weather might help with some cloud cover, but this pitch is flattening out. Lower-order runs could be the difference between a good total and a match-winning one.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 goes to India, no question. Gill’s century was class, Jaiswal teased us with his talent, and England… well, they’ve got work to do. That ball controversy? Could become a bigger deal depending on how this Test plays out. One thing’s for sure—if tomorrow’s even half as interesting, we’re in for a proper Test match. Set your alarms, folks.
Source: Navbharat Times – Default