IND vs ENG 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights: India Finish Day 1 Strong at 310/5 as Gill Scores Ton, Jaiswal Adds 87

Shubman Gill made a strong statement both with the bat and before the match. At the toss, he confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah was being rested, with team management believing the pitch at Lord’s would suit him better than Edgbaston. By the end of the day, after criticism over Bumrah’s absence, Gill silenced doubts with a powerful century celebration his seventh in Tests finishing unbeaten on 114. His effort helped India reach 310/5, putting them in a solid position despite having fewer specialist batters in the line-up.

Gill Responds to Captaincy Pressure with Gritty Century at Edgbaston

Gill’s first century in the series at Headingley marked his arrival as India’s new Test captain. But this one felt like a response to the pressure and challenges that came with the role. The news that Jasprit Bumrah was being rested was just one of three team changes, which raised eyebrows for a touring side already making frequent changes. Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar were brought in, while Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur were left out.

Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first after winning the toss for the second straight match again under clear skies mostly paid off. His fast bowlers put in a strong effort. Chris Woakes was the best among them, taking 2 for 59 and he was unlucky not to get more. Overall, England didn’t do much wrong.

There was already a lot of pressure on Gill, even before spending 216 balls at the crease started to affect his back. When India were 270 for 5 and Gill was on 86, he called for the physio due to some discomfort. After treatment, he returned with his main focus on lasting through the rest of the day rather than reaching a hundred. But he got there quickly anyway, thanks to two loose balls from Joe Root both of which he swept for boundaries showing how naturally he plays that shot.

Gill’s journey to his hundred wasn’t flashy, but it was full of grit. He struck 11 boundaries on the way, placing them all around the field as many through the covers as through the leg side showing control more than aggression. It took him 199 balls to get there, a sign of his patience and determination. He didn’t fall for the mind games when Ben Stokes placed three fielders at cover and another at short mid-on, clearly trying to tempt him into a risky shot. But Gill stayed calm, stuck to his plan, and showed maturity beyond his years. Still, his job isn’t done more challenges lie ahead.

Stumps on the opening day of the 2nd Test 🏟️#TeamIndia finish Day 1 with 310/5 on board 👌👌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Oxhg97g4BF#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/hzMC3Befky

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 2, 2025

Carse and Woakes Strike Early as India Lose Rahul and Nair Before Lunch

He walked in with India at 95 for 2, just before lunch, after Brydon Carse removed Karun Nair, who was filling in at No. 3 for the rested Sudharsan. It was a sharp ball from Carse that climbed from a good length and took the edge to second slip. That breakthrough came during a brilliant opening spell shared by Carse and Woakes. Woakes, in particular, was outstanding with the new ball, removing KL Rahul for a tough 2 off 26 balls. His figures read 1 for 15 in seven overs, including four maidens in a row truly disciplined effort.

In just his fourth Test at Edgbaston, the home crowd favorite was unlucky not to get more wickets. Two close LBW appeals one against Jaiswal when he was on 12, and another against Karun Nair on 5 were turned down by the umpire. Both decisions were reviewed, but ball-tracking showed just a small margin of Umpire’s Call, meaning the on-field call stayed. His second wicket was well deserved, though a lovely ball that moved in and hit the top of off stump after Reddy left it alone, thinking it would go straight.

Jaiswal’s Entertaining 87 Ends with Loose Shot Against Stokes

Reddy’s dismissal came just ten balls after Rishabh Pant made a surprising mistake. He tried to hit Shoaib Bashir over long-on but ended up giving a simple catch to Zak Crawley. Maybe Pant thought the fielder was closer in and the shot was safe, but it was a poor choice, especially when he and Gill were building a good partnership. To be fair, Bashir bowled a clever, slow delivery that dipped just in time. After scoring back-to-back hundreds earlier in the series, Pant was out for just 25 a big moment for England, and they celebrated it with energy.

India’s strong partnership started after Yashasvi Jaiswal got out in a careless way. He chased a wide ball from Ben Stokes and got caught behind. Until then, he was batting well and had scored his seventh straight fifty against England. He reached his fifty quickly in 59 balls, hitting poor deliveries from Josh Tongue for boundaries. In fact, Tongue gave away six fours in just two overs before being taken off.

Jaiswal looked confident, reaching 49 with a hook shot and crossing fifty with a powerful cut. He kept going with smart shots through the covers and slips, reaching 81. But just when it looked like he would get a big score, he tried to hit Stokes again and got out. That changed the game. While Jaiswal lost his wicket trying to attack, Gill played calmly and reached his century with smart batting and help from Jadeja.

Gill and Jadeja are still not out and have a 99-run stand. They will continue on Day 2 knowing their partnership is key. India has lost good positions before, like in the first Test, so they must stay focused and turn this strong start into a big score.

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