On the first day of the first Test, India’s young Test batsmen dominated England, and Jaiswal-Gill Tons lit up Headingley on June 20, 2025. Shubman Gill at No. 4 and opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed glittering hundreds, highlighting India’s New Test Era. Their Headingley Dominance, which demonstrated that Jaiswal-Gill Tons are prepared to fill the void left by the retired legends, signaled a daring new chapter despite Rohit-Kohli’s absence.
18 months ago, Jaiswal scored 712 runs in India’s home series against England, demonstrating his versatility once again. He needed just 48 balls to go from 50 to 100, and each of his 17 boundaries. Including a vicious cut for six over cover and came off the side, making his century a masterclass in off-side stroke play.
Gill’s first innings as captain, however, was even better. Without giving a chance, he bounded to his fastest half-century (off 56 balls) and then cruised calmly to three figures, embodying the pace he wants from his team. On the dressing-room balcony, he bowed to a standing ovation from his teammates after hitting a cover drive for four to reach his sixth Test hundred.
On the eve of the series, Gill declared that he would try to “dominate” with the bat and lead by example. He supported his declaration with an innings that exuded confidence. He had never made an impression in Test matches outside of Asia before, but he looked right at home as he took advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate that he is not just the batting lineup’s future but also its present.
Ben Stokes’ choice to bowl first after winning the toss on a particularly hot day in Leeds must have been a regrettable one for England’s bowlers, who had to endure a long and arduous day in the field. The highlight of the attack was Stokes, who immediately after tea knocked back Jaiswal’s off stump and strangled debutant B Sai Sudharsan down the leg side on the stroke of lunch.
Rahul appeared completely unfazed as he punished half-volleys and width, but Jaiswal occasionally played and missed and was hit on the ribs by a lifter from Brydon Carse. His thick outside edge flew straight to Joe Root at slip, shocking everyone when he finally offered a chance off a Carse outswinger.
Following lunch, Gill got off to a brisk start, scurrying through for a tight single off his second ball and providing a run-out opportunity off his sixth. At short midwicket, he worked Carse to the right of Ollie Pope, whose pick-up-and-throw would have hit Gill squarely in the face but instead sprinted to the boundary for overthrows.
Although Carse might have had Jaiswal lbw on review for 45 had he not gone too far, it turned out to be the only genuine opportunity of the middle session. Following an irritable start, Gill calmed down and appeared completely composed for the remainder of his innings. After lunch, he made Chris Woakes appear completely harmless, and he quickly reached a half-century with a pull off Tongue.
