Sometimes, following the stats can still land you in trouble—just ask Ben Stokes.
Heading into the Headingley Test, Stokes made what seemed like a smart move.
He won the toss and, backed by recent history, put India in to bat.
The past six Tests at Leeds had all favored the team bowling first.
But by the time stumps were called, it was clear this gamble didn’t pay off.
India Makes a Statement with 359 for 3
By the end of a long, hot day, India were cruising on 359-3, thanks to stunning centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill.
Jaiswal dazzled with flair and grit, while Gill oozed calm authority, notching up a classy 127 not out in his first Test as captain.
As Gill walked off at stumps, his teammates stood waiting to greet him—aware that if India are to finally claim another Test series win in England (just their fourth ever in 93 years), his knock may be remembered as the catalyst.
Was Stokes Wrong to Bowl First?
England’s call to field first wasn’t outrageous—far from it.
Even India’s Gill admitted he would’ve done the same.
And the pitch, once famed for its unpredictability, now tends to get easier for batting as the match goes on.
But with the heavy roller flattening the surface just before play and bright sunshine baking the outfield, signs pointed to a batting-friendly day.
England might have trusted the data a little too much, ignoring the obvious.
Bowling Woes Exposed Early in the Series
Missing firepower like Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson, England’s attack looked toothless.
Chris Woakes struggled, Josh Tongue leaked runs, and it was Stokes himself who ended up being the most threatening seamer.
Brydon Carse showed glimpses of promise, including the wicket of KL Rahul, but he also overstepped and missed out on dismissing Jaiswal earlier.
Inexperience, nerves, and the Headingley slope seemed to mess with his rhythm.
Stokes chipped in with two wickets—one lucky, one brilliant—but he bowled longer spells than planned.
He’s supposed to be the surprise weapon, not the workhorse.
Thankfully, Shoaib Bashir kept things tight, or England might’ve faced an even uglier scoreboard.
Jaiswal and Gill Lead India’s Next Generation
This day belonged to Jaiswal and Gill—both in their 20s, both looking right at home in a team now moving beyond the eras of Kohli and Rohit.
Jaiswal paced his innings perfectly, reaching his hundred in style.
At just 23, he already boasts centuries on debut, in Australia, and now in England.
His average of 54 and his hunger for runs make him a terrifying prospect for bowlers everywhere.
Gill, two years older, had a point to prove overseas and did just that.
His cover drives were silky smooth, but packed real punch.
To score a ton in your first game as captain in England? That’s elite.
Indian Batsmen Join an Elite Club at Headingley
Not many Indian batters have hit centuries at Headingley, and those who have—Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly—are cricket royalty.
Gill and Jaiswal now join that list, hinting at the makings of their own legendary careers.
And then there was Rishabh Pant.
His chaotic, fearless brand of cricket added a turbo charge late in the day.
He smacked 65 not out, including a towering six off Woakes to end the day in emphatic style.
A Toss to Regret?
Stokes now finds himself in a spot familiar to Nasser Hussain, who infamously bowled first in Brisbane back in 2002—only to see Australia cruise to 364-2.
With India firmly on top, the next few days will determine whether this becomes a historic blunder or just a rough first day in a long series.
What’s next? England will need resilience and a bowling miracle to claw their way back.
But for now, India has made one thing clear: this is a new era, and they’ve arrived with serious intent.