The first day of the highly anticipated England vs India Test series at Headingley didn’t disappoint—at least if you’re cheering for India.
By stumps, India had racked up a formidable 359 for three, and it was their young star Yashasvi Jaiswal who once again stole the show with a stunning century.
England, meanwhile, were left licking their wounds and looking for answers.
From Selling Snacks to Silencing Bowlers: The Jaiswal Story
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s journey to cricket stardom reads like a movie script.
At just 12 years old, he left his small-town life in Uttar Pradesh and moved to Mumbai, chasing a dream most wouldn’t dare to follow.
With no place to stay, he lived in a tent on the Azad Maidan and sold panipuri—a popular Indian street snack—just to survive.
Eventually, a local coach, Jwala Singh, noticed his talent and gave him a roof and mentorship.
That decision changed everything. Jaiswal made his Test debut two years ago with a commanding 171 against the West Indies, and England fans are already familiar with his skills after he crushed them with back-to-back double hundreds in India last year.
His century at Headingley on Friday was just another reminder—this young opener is here to dominate.
Shubman Gill Steps Up in Captain’s Role
While Jaiswal dazzled, Shubman Gill quietly anchored India’s innings and marked his debut as Test captain with a classy unbeaten century of his own.
It was the kind of steady, composed performance that sets the tone for a new era of leadership.
Gill’s promotion to captain had its skeptics, but day one showed exactly why the selectors trusted him with what’s arguably the most high-pressure job in cricket.
England’s Bowling Struggles and a Glimmer of Hope
It was a rough day out for England’s bowlers, but not all the news was bleak.
Mark Wood, who underwent knee surgery in March, gave fans reason to smile.
The fast bowler revealed he’s back bowling lightly in the nets and has set his sights on returning for the fifth Test against India, scheduled for July 31.
“I’m officially on the comeback trail,” Wood said while working on commentary duty for BBC Test Match Special.
His return would be a big boost as England prepares for this series and eyes the Ashes on the horizon.
Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell Set for County Appearances
England pacer Jofra Archer is also inching toward a long-awaited comeback.
He’s set to play for Sussex against Durham this Sunday in the County Championship, which could be the springboard to a return later in the India series.
Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell, who was passed over for a Test recall in favor of Ollie Pope, will return to action for Warwickshire against Somerset.
It’ll be his first red-ball match since playing in New Zealand last December.
Sam Cook, fresh off a debut against Zimbabwe, will also leave Headingley temporarily to play for Essex.
Stokes Makes Surprise Call to Bowl First
England captain Ben Stokes surprised many when he chose to field after winning the toss under clear skies at Headingley.
Traditionally, captains bat first unless conditions demand otherwise, but Stokes had the stats in mind.
The last six Tests at Headingley were all won by the team that bowled first—five of those wins came for England.
In 2021, India made the mistake of batting first at the same venue and were bowled out for just 78.
Stokes likely saw this as a psychological edge—but this time, the gamble hasn’t paid off yet.
A Moment of Silence for Tragedy in Ahmedabad
Before the first ball was bowled, both teams took a moment to pay their respects to victims of the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Players from England and India wore black armbands, and a moment of silence was observed just before the national anthems—a touching gesture that added perspective to the day’s play.
Australia Reacts to Test Final Loss with Big Changes
Over in Australia, the aftermath of their World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa is already shaking things up.
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped after another quiet outing, while injuries to Steve Smith have led to some surprise call-ups.
Enter Josh Inglis, a Leeds-born batsman now playing for Australia, and teenage opener Sam Konstas.
Inglis has already impressed with a debut century earlier this year and now has a chance to prove himself against his country of birth in the upcoming Ashes.
Bumble’s Voice Returns—Just Not on TV
Fans may have missed David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd on their TV screens, but he’s back in action on talkSPORT radio for this India-England series.
For the first time this summer, ball-by-ball commentary is also being streamed on YouTube for international listeners.
And for those craving Bumble’s trademark wit, his daily diary is available both online and in print via the Daily Mail.
Duckett Stretches His Limits in a New Ad
If you grabbed a match-day programme at Headingley, you might have spotted something amusing on the back cover.
England’s 5ft 7in opener Ben Duckett is shown looking almost eye-level with 6ft 2in Gus Atkinson and 6ft Lauren Bell in an ad for England’s latest Castore kit.
A bit of cheeky photo editing? Most likely.
But hey, at least Duckett finally got his “tall” moment in the spotlight!
