India’s Resilience Shines Through as Shubman Gill Anchors Day 1 at Edgbaston
Edgbaston, Birmingham – July 2, 2025
Day 1 of the second Test between India and England was a gripping display of skill, composure, and strategic execution — with India finishing strong at 310/5 in 85 overs, thanks to a magnificent unbeaten century by skipper Shubman Gill and a composed knock from Ravindra Jadeja.
Morning Session: Early Jitters, Steady Recovery
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, England captain Ben Stokes made the most of overcast conditions and a greenish Edgbaston pitch. Veteran Chris Woakes delivered a stellar opening spell, removing the experienced KL Rahul for just 2 (26 balls), exploiting seam movement masterfully.
Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, counterattacked with fluency. His 87 off 107 balls (13 fours) came with delightful cover drives and late cuts, laying a solid foundation after the early loss.
He was well supported by Karun Nair, who chipped in with 31 (50 balls) in a brisk 80-run stand for the second wicket. But just before lunch, Brydon Carse dismissed Nair with a well-directed short ball, tilting the balance slightly back to England.
Afternoon Session: Jaiswal Falls, Gill Leads
Post-lunch, Jaiswal looked set for a richly deserved century but was undone by a lapse in concentration. Facing only 10 balls across 6 overs, he slashed at a wide delivery from Stokes, only to edge it behind on 87 — a major blow in India’s progress.
Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill then added a steady 47-run stand, balancing aggression with caution. Pant’s adventurous intent, though, led to his downfall as he attempted to take on debutant Shoaib Bashir, only to be caught at long-on for 25 (42 balls).
India slipped again as debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy was bowled by Woakes for just 1. At 211/5, the match was delicately poised.
Evening Session: Gill and Jadeja Stabilize
With momentum slipping, the experienced Ravindra Jadeja partnered Gill in a crucial 99-run unbeaten stand. While Jadeja played the perfect foil with a patient 41 off 67 balls, Gill blossomed in confidence. He batted mostly outside his crease to counter swing, punished loose deliveries, and rotated strike efficiently.
Gill’s 7th Test hundred came off 200+ balls, but its value was far beyond the numbers — a captain’s knock holding the innings together when it was needed most.
England tried to exploit the second new ball in the final session, but Jadeja and Gill negotiated it with control and calmness, pushing India safely past the 300-run mark by stumps.
Key Highlights from Day 1:
🏏 Shubman Gill: 114* off 216 balls (12 fours), a patient, authoritative innings under pressure.
🌟 Yashasvi Jaiswal: 87 off 107, setting the early tone with fluent strokeplay.
🎯 Chris Woakes: 2/59 from 21 overs — high discipline and accuracy with the new ball.
📉 Middle-order collapse: From 161/2 to 211/5 in 16 overs.
🔗 Partnership of the Day: Gill & Jadeja’s 99* stand (142 balls), rescuing India from collapse.
Score Summary at Stumps – Day 1:
India 1st Innings: 310/5 in 85 overs
Shubman Gill: 114*
Ravindra Jadeja: 41*
Chris Woakes: 2/59
Brydon Carse, Stokes, Bashir: 1 wicket each
🕰 What to Expect on Day 2
With batting conditions set to improve under clearer skies, India will hope Gill and Jadeja can stretch their stand past 150 and push the total close to 450. England, on the other hand, will look to strike early with the second new ball still fresh. The first session on Day 2 could very well define the tone for the rest of th
e match.
Stay tuned for all the action from Edgbaston!
_Raja Noor