🇮🇳🇬🇧 England vs India 1st Test: Jaiswal’s Fifty Anchors India on Day 1 at Leeds
The much-anticipated England India Test series kicked off at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025, under the new banner of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India, after being put into bat by Ben Stokes, went to lunch at 92 for 2, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal standing firm on fifty and Shubman Gill settling in.
💥 England India Test: Jaiswal Shines Again
Yashasvi Jaiswal marked his first Test innings in England with a composed half-century. The left-hander, who tormented England during the Anthony de Mello Trophy earlier in 2024 with 724 runs, picked up where he left off, playing confident strokes despite hostile early conditions.
He was lucky to survive a yorker that struck his toe but was saved by a no-ball from Brydon Carse, who impressed with pace and aggression in his first home Test.
🧨 England India Test: Late Wickets Shift Momentum
After a solid 91-run opening partnership between Jaiswal and KL Rahul, England struck twice in six balls:
Rahul edged a wide delivery from Carse to Joe Root at slip for 42.
Debutant Sai Sudharsan, playing his first Test innings, was dismissed for a duck, strangled down the leg side off Ben Stokes.
These dismissals gave England some relief after a frustrating wicketless first hour.
🔁 England India Test: Toss Tactics: Right Call?
Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing stats from the last six Headingley Tests — all won by the chasing side. The pitch offered early movement, but England’s bowlers initially missed their lengths and allowed Indian batters to settle.
Despite questions over the decision, experts including Alastair Cook and Sidharth Monga defended it based on pitch behavior and forecast conditions.
👀 Key Stats & Insights
Jaiswal-Rahul: First Indian opening pair to score a 50+ stand at Headingley since 2013 (Fulton-Rutherford, NZ).
Debut Watch: Sai Sudharsan (India) dismissed for 0; Brydon Carse (England) takes first Test wicket at home.
India’s XI: Features four seamers and the return of Karun Nair after 8 years.
🔮 What’s Next?
With the pitch expected to flatten, India will look to build a strong first-innings total. England’s bowlers, especially Josh Tongue, showed promise late in the session and will hope to capitalise with the second new ball.
The day remains evenly poised, and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy opener promises to be a thriller.
