Birmingham, July 2:
India seized control on Day 1 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston as captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a sublime, unbeaten century. After being put into bat on a breezy English morning, India overcame early setbacks and reached a commanding 310/5 at stumps, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling contest.
The day began with a tactical move from Ben Stokes, who opted to bowl first on a pitch offering some early assistance. England’s new ball duo — Chris Woakes and Matthew Potts — bowled tight lines, and the ploy initially paid off when KL Rahul was dismissed cheaply for 14. The pressure mounted, but India countered with a measured partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair.
Jaiswal continued his rich vein of form, unfurling classy drives and authoritative pulls en route to a solid 87, narrowly missing out on what would have been his fourth Test century. His 80-run partnership with Nair laid a solid foundation before Ben Stokes returned to break the stand with a well-planned wide delivery that caught Jaiswal edging to the keeper.
Meanwhile, Karun Nair played a supporting role with a gritty 31, helping anchor the innings until he was undone by a sharp inswinger from Brydon Carse. By tea, India had reached 182/3, with Gill quietly accumulating runs.
What followed in the final session was a masterclass from the Indian skipper. Gill, often criticized for failing to convert starts, batted with poise and fluency. He showcased his full range — elegant flicks off his pads, compact defensive strokes, and some beautifully timed boundaries. His unbeaten 114 off 199 balls was not just a statistical milestone but a statement of intent.
Joining Gill in the latter part of the day was Ravindra Jadeja, who once again proved his value with the bat. The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 41, adding 78 runs for the sixth wicket with his captain. Their partnership took India past 300, a psychological edge on a pitch that may flatten further.
England, for their part, tried everything. Woakes picked up two wickets, and Carse had moments of brilliance. Stokes, ever the competitor, bowled long spells and got the prized wicket of Jaiswal. Shoaib Bashir spun a few deliveries past the bat but lacked consistency.
India’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah raised eyebrows before the toss, but it was clear their strategy centered on batting depth and putting up a first-innings mountain. With Gill and Jadeja still at the crease, a score beyond 450–500 looks within reach — a total that could put England under real pressure.
As the crowd filtered out of Edgbaston, it was clear the day belonged to India — and more specifically, to Shubman Gill. His century underlined his evolution as a leader and a batsman, and set the stage for a dominant Indian performance in the days ahead.
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