A fresh-faced Indian side took the field in Leeds as the first Test of a much-hyped five-match series got underway. But it was England who landed the opening punch, courtesy of Ben Stokes.
The sun peeked through the clouds at Headingley as Shubman Gill walked out for the toss — not just as a top-order batter, but as India’s new Test captain. A generational shift is here. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now part of history books, Gill stands at the edge of a new era, and it’s as daunting as it is exciting.
Early Jitters for India as Jaiswal Falls Fast
England wasted no time shaking things up.
It took just 10 balls for Ben Stokes to break through. Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s young and aggressive opener, nicked one behind — a loud edge, a sharp take, and a roar from the home crowd.
The dismissal felt like a gut punch for India. Jaiswal had looked in fluent touch during warm-ups. But cricket rarely follows script.
One ball changes everything.
Stokes’ energy lit up the field. He’s not just back — he’s back with bite.
Gill at the other end, meanwhile, looked calm. Maybe too calm? Leading India for the first time, with a nation watching and critics sharpening their knives — no pressure, right?
A Captain in Transition — Gill’s Big Test Begins
Shubman Gill’s elevation to Test captaincy didn’t exactly arrive with fanfare. It arrived with necessity.
Rohit retired. Kohli stepped back. India had to pick someone young, technically sound, and mentally steely. Gill ticked boxes, but he’s green.
At 25, Gill is the youngest Indian Test captain since Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in 1962.
He’s got the flair, sure. But this is the big league now.
He’s also leading a side that’s rebuilding. No Bumrah, no Pant, no Kohli. Sai Sudharsan made his debut today. Gill’s task? Keep this unit afloat while making runs himself.
One sentence says it all — he’s got a mountain to climb.
Sai Sudharsan’s Debut: Quiet but Promising
The buzz around Sai Sudharsan had been building for months. Strong domestic scores. Calm head. Smart technique.
Today was his Test debut. And like most debuts, it was nervous.
He walked out with a bit of hesitation. First few deliveries — all about surviving. No risks. England’s pacers probed.
But the longer he stayed, the more composed he looked.
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Played Anderson with soft hands
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Left outside off with maturity
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Ran quick singles under pressure
He didn’t get a fifty. He didn’t dominate. But he didn’t crumble either. And for a debutant at Headingley, that’s saying something.
The Numbers Behind India’s Rebuild
India’s current squad looks very different from the one that reached the 2023 World Test Championship Final. Injuries, retirements, and form dips have all played their part.
Here’s how the current XI compares to the WTC Final squad:
| Player Role | WTC Final 2023 | 1st Test Leeds 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Captain | Rohit Sharma | Shubman Gill |
| Wicketkeeper | KS Bharat | Dhruv Jurel |
| No. 4 Batter | Virat Kohli | Rajat Patidar |
| All-Rounder | Jadeja | Axar Patel |
| Lead Pacer | Mohammed Shami | Mukesh Kumar |
It’s not a minor shuffle. It’s a full-on reset.
Gill’s team is younger, less experienced, and still figuring things out. There’s talent. But there’s also unpredictability.
England’s Bowling Looks Dialed In
One thing hasn’t changed — England know how to bowl at home.
Anderson, even at 42, is a puzzle most batters can’t solve. He didn’t get a wicket in the first hour, but he beat the bat a dozen times.
Then there’s Mark Wood. Pace. Bounce. Fire. He almost trapped Gill lbw but India reviewed and survived.
Stokes, of course, brought the energy. His early strike set the tone. And he didn’t stop barking orders, adjusting fields, motivating bowlers. Captain or not, he’s still England’s soul.
Don’t forget Jack Leach either. Not flashy, but he held his end. Dot after dot. Pressure built.
India’s scorecard didn’t fall apart. But it never felt in control either.
What This Series Really Means
Forget the score for a second.
This series — this particular one — isn’t just about runs or wickets.
It’s about identity.
For England, it’s about proving Bazball isn’t a fluke. That this aggressive style works even when the opposition changes captains and lineups.
For India, it’s deeper. They’re looking for a new spine. A new Kohli. A new Rohit. A new leader.
And Headingley — of all places — is the right theatre. Remember 2002? 2007? It’s where Indian cricket made some loud statements in the past.
Gill would love to echo that history.
