The first day of the second Test between India and England was nothing short of explosive. From early setbacks to breathtaking comebacks, the match delivered drama, skill, and unforgettable moments. Yashasvi Jaiswal played a blistering knock of 87 runs, while captain Shubman Gill smashed a brilliant century to put India in a commanding position. Let’s break it all down in simple terms so you don’t miss a moment of this thrilling encounter.

🏏 India’s Rocky Start: Early Wicket at 15 Runs

India’s innings began with high hopes as Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul walked out to bat. But Chris Woakes had other plans. In his fiery opening spell, Woakes bowled a tight line, not conceding a single run in the first four balls. KL Rahul struggled to get off the mark and eventually fell victim to Woakes’ precision, clean bowled on the fourth ball of the ninth over. India’s first wicket fell at just 15 runs a shaky start for the visitors.

🔥 Jaiswal and Nair Steady the Ship

After the early blow, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair stepped up to rebuild India’s innings. Jaiswal showcased his trademark aggression, hitting boundaries at will, while Nair played a supporting role with elegant strokes. Together, they added crucial runs and revived India’s momentum.

Karun Nair looked promising, scoring 31 runs with five stunning fours. However, his innings ended abruptly when Brydon Carse dismissed him in the 24th over, leaving India at 95/2. Despite this setback, Jaiswal continued his onslaught, smashing three consecutive fours off Josh Tongue in the 22nd over. His explosive batting turned the tide in India’s favor.

💥 Shubman Gill Takes Charge

When Karun Nair departed, Shubman Gill joined Jaiswal at the crease. The duo batted sensibly, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. As the overs progressed, Gill grew in confidence, hitting two brilliant fours in the 61st over to inch closer to his half-century.

But the real fireworks came later Gill accelerated in the final session, smashing two consecutive fours in the 81st over to bring up his seventh Test century. His masterclass included 11 fours and came off just 199 balls. By the end of the day, Gill remained unbeaten on 102 runs, putting India in a strong position at 310/5.

🌟 Rishabh Pant’s Brief Cameo and Jadeja’s Grit

Rishabh Pant, fresh off his double century heroics in the first Test, walked in after Nair’s dismissal. However, this time he played cautiously, managing with singles and doubles. Unfortunately, his stay was cut short when Shoaib Bashir trapped him in his spin magic, dismissing him for 25 runs.

Ravindra Jadeja then joined Gill and provided solid support, remaining unbeaten on 41 runs by the close of play. Together, they ensured India finished the day strongly, setting the stage for an exciting Day 2.

🤔 What Went Wrong for England?

Despite a strong start from Chris Woakes, England’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s batsmen. Yashasvi Jaiswal aggressive stroke play and Shubman Gills’ composed century left the hosts searching for answers. Captain Ben Stokes tried every trick in the book, even bringing himself into the attack, but India’s top order proved too resilient.

One fan tweeted, “Gill is unstoppable right now. What a captain’s knock!” Another added, “Jaiswal’s 87 was pure class. He’s going to be a star.”

Final Thoughts: A Day to Remember

Day 1 belonged to India, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal explosive 87 and Shubman Gills’ historic century. While England made some inroads, their bowlers couldn’t sustain the pressure. With Ravindra Jadeja still at the crease, India will look to pile on the runs on Day 2.

So, what do YOU think? Can England bounce back, or will India dominate further? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!