India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal revealed that the key to his 129-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill on Day 1 of the Headingley Test was clear communication and a shared plan to bat long. Speaking at the post-match press conference after stumps on June 20, Jaiswal said their focus was to play session by session and make the most of loose deliveries.
After India’s strong start was halted by the quick dismissals of KL Rahul (42) and debutant Sai Sudharsan (0), Jaiswal and Gill came together to rescue the innings. With the team at 92 for 2, their composed and disciplined approach helped India regain control. Both batters went on to notch centuries — Jaiswal with 101 and Gill finishing the day unbeaten on 127 — laying the foundation for India’s dominance.
ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 1: Highlights|Report
“We spoke a lot in the middle. It was to play session by session, and cash in when there is a loose ball. There was amazing camaraderie. It was great to bat with him. He was calm and composed.”
Jaiswal’s ton made him the first visiting batter to score Test centuries in both Australia and England before turning 23. For Gill, it was a landmark moment as well — becoming only the fifth Indian to hit a century on Test captaincy debut, joining the likes of Azharuddin and Kohli.
Rishabh Pant added firepower late in the day with a brisk 65* off just 73 balls, sharing an unbeaten stand with Gill as India accelerated in the final session. England’s bowlers, including Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, and Shoaib Bashir, were unable to apply consistent pressure as India steadily built a dominant total.
At stumps on Day 1, India finished at 359 for 3, with Gill and Pant at the crease and the visitors firmly in control of the Headingley Test.