Date: 20 June 2025
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
Series: India Tour of England, 5-Match Test Series (1st Test)

The Wait is Over – Test Cricket Returns With a Bang

India vs England: Cricket fans across the globe had been eagerly awaiting the start of the iconic Test series between India and England, and the opening day of the first Test at Headingley in Leeds didn’t disappoint. It was a day dominated by the Indian batting lineup, with a flurry of records being broken and individual milestones achieved. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights that made Day 1 a memorable one for Indian cricket.

Rishabh Pant Breaks MS Dhoni’s SENA Record

India vs England: One of the biggest talking points from the opening day came courtesy of Rishabh Pant, who etched his name in the record books by surpassing the legendary MS Dhoni in a unique feat. Pant is now the highest run-scorer by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) on their home soil.

Rishabh Pant – 1734 Runs*

MS Dhoni – 1731 Runs

Farokh Engineer – 1099 Runs

Syed Kirmani – 785 Runs

Kiran More – 627 Runs

This achievement not only highlights Pant’s consistency overseas but also reflects his evolution into one of India’s most dependable batters in challenging conditions. With many more Tests to come, Pant looks poised to further extend his lead.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Scripts History at Headingley

India vs England: Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal added another chapter to his fairytale rise in international cricket. The stylish left-hander became the first Indian opener to score a century at Headingley, a venue known for its swing-friendly conditions and challenging pitch.

Opening the innings with KL Rahul, Jaiswal played with a mix of composure and flair, scoring a superb 101 off 159 balls at a strike rate of 63.52. His knock included 16 elegant boundaries and a towering six, giving India a solid start and laying the foundation for a strong total.

Shubman Gill Joins Elite Club with Debut Captaincy Ton

India vs England: It was a debut to remember for Shubman Gill, who was leading the Indian Test side for the first time. Rising to the occasion, Gill brought up a century in his very first innings as captain — a feat achieved by only three other Indian skippers before him:

Vijay Hazare

Sunil Gavaskar

Virat Kohli

Shubman Gill (2025)

Gill’s composed knock under pressure showcased his maturity and leadership qualities, sending a strong signal that Indian cricket is in safe hands.

Chris Woakes Breaks Bowling Record on Home Turf

India vs England: While Indian batters dominated the headlines, England’s Chris Woakes made his own mark with the ball. The English pacer now holds the record for the best bowling strike rate in the first innings of a Test match in England.

Chris Woakes – Strike Rate: 37.5

Malcolm Marshall – 44.5

Fred Trueman – 45.1

Shane Warne – 45.7

Surpassing the legendary Malcolm Marshall is no small feat, and Woakes’ precision and aggression gave England key breakthroughs even as India piled on the runs.

Jaiswal-Rahul Partnership Sets a New Benchmark

India vs England: One of the standout moments of the day came from the opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who shared a 91-run stand for the first wicket. This is now the highest opening partnership for India at Headingley, overtaking the previous best of 64 runs by Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth back in 1986.

The pair looked in complete control, blunting the new ball and frustrating England’s pace attack. Their partnership set the tone for the innings and reflected the depth and resilience of India’s batting unit.

What Lies Ahead?

India vs England: With the scoreboard already reflecting India’s dominance and their key batters in fine form, the visitors will look to push for a massive first-innings total on Day 2. England, on the other hand, will hope for early wickets to claw their way back into the game.

As the five-match series progresses, fans can expect more twists, epic battles, and unforgettable moments. If Day 1 at Headingley is anything to go by, we are in for a classic India-England Test series filled with drama, passion, and historic performances.

Stay tuned — Test cricket is alive, and it’s roaring in Leeds!