IND vs ENG 2nd Test Day 1: Shubman Gill’s Gritty Century Puts India in Strong Position at Edgbaston
Summary:
India ended Day 1 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston in a commanding position, posting 310/5 on the board. Captain Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 114 anchored the innings, supported by Ravindra Jadeja (41)*. Despite early wickets, the Indian middle order held strong. The pitch behavior, team strategy, and expert reactions all made Day 1 a fascinating battle in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
🏏 India’s Scorecard – 1st Innings
Batter Runs Balls 4s 6s
Yashasvi Jaiswal 87 107 12 2
Rohit Sharma 13 42 2 0
Shubman Gill* 114 216 10 2
Rishabh Pant 32 49 4 1
Nitish Reddy 5 15 1 0
Ravindra Jadeja* 41 67 6 0
- Not out
🏟️ Pitch Report – A Tale of Two Sessions
The Edgbaston pitch offered some seam movement and uneven bounce early in the morning due to light moisture and green tinge. Chris Woakes made the most of it with disciplined bowling. However, as the day progressed, the pitch flattened out, making it easier for batters to settle.
In the final session, signs of slow bounce and occasional grip hinted at possible turn later in the match—something that could become crucial on Days 4 and 5.
🎙️ What Did Captain Shubman Gill Say?
After losing the toss, England opted to bowl first. Indian captain Shubman Gill, when asked about team changes and selection, said:
“It was very tempting to play Kuldeep, but considering the lack of depth in our batting, we went with Washington Sundar. This pitch will get slower as the game progresses, so we want to put up a big first innings total.”
This decision clearly reflected India’s intent to strengthen their batting at the cost of a specialist spinner.
🧠 Gautam Gambhir’s Tactical Take – Honest and Sharp
During the lunch and tea sessions on Star Sports, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir shared his analysis:
🗨️ “Gill’s innings is a sign of maturity. He absorbed pressure early and accelerated at the right time. This is his best knock as captain.”
🗨️ “Nitish Reddy is a promising player, but playing him in England with little experience was a gamble. It showed.”
🗨️ “The Jadeja vs Ashwin vs Kuldeep debate is real. But Jadeja’s batting gives him an edge—especially on slow pitches like this one.”
🗨️ “Josh Tongue was a poor choice. England had Archer fit, but they went with a bowler who struggled for consistency.”
Gambhir emphasized that India must aim for a first innings score of 450+ to put England under pressure on a pitch that might break down later.
🎯 England’s Bowling – Woakes Stands Alone
Bowler Overs Runs Wickets
Chris Woakes 21 59 2
Brydon Carse 16 49 1
Shoaib Bashir 18+ 60+ 1
Josh Tongue Expensive, erratic
Woakes was the only English bowler to maintain pressure. Others, especially Josh Tongue, leaked runs and failed to build consistent pressure.
🧩 Team Strategy – A Calculated Risk
India made three major changes:
✅ In: Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep
❌ Out: Shardul Thakur, Sai Sudharsan, Jasprit Bumrah
This reshuffle aimed to deepen the batting line-up, but it came with the sacrifice of Bumrah’s firepower and Kuldeep’s variation. The onus now lies on the likes of Jadeja, Sundar, and part-time options to deliver with the ball.
📈 What’s at Stake?
England already lead the series 1-0 after their win at Headingley. India need to win this Test to stay alive in the series, and Day 1 has gone well for them. However, the real test will come once the pitch starts offering turn and inconsistent bounce.
✅ Conclusion: Advantage India (for now)
With 310/5 on the board, India have done the hard work. The Gill–Jadeja partnership has weathered the storm, and if they can bat another session and push the total past 450, the game could tilt heavily in India’s favor—especially if spin becomes a factor.
Still, it’s a cautious optimism. England will come hard on Day 2 with the second new ball, and the early morning conditions could favor their seamers again.