The first Test of the ongoing five-game series between England and India began brilliantly for the visitors. Both sides locked horns at Headingley in Leeds for the first Test of the series, and the clash began with India coming in to bat first after losing the toss.
It was a brilliant day 1 for team India as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill both completed their centuries, putting England under pressure right from the get-go. Furthermore, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant put in an exceptional performance as well.
Coming out to bat after the fall of the third wicket, Pant went on to hit a century as well. Doing so, Pant surpassed former India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni in the list of most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. Dhoni had six centuries to his name, with Pant having scored his 7th.
Rishabh Pant pulls out trademark celebration after century
Furthermore, after completing his century, it was Rishabh Pant’s celebration in the first innings that turned heads. The 27-year-old pulled out his signature somersault celebration after the century, which left former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar elated in the commentary box as well.
England plot comeback with quick wickets
Shortly after Rishabh Pant’s century, England improved heavily. Shoaib Bashir took the wicket of the dangerous Shubman Gill. The India skipper, who had been toying with the bowlers since day 1, was sent packing on a score of 147 runs in 227 deliveries.
Furthermore, Karun Nair, who came out to bat after Gill’s dismissal, was also unable to make an impact in the game. The batter took centre stage for India in Test cricket after eight years but departed after just four balls, failing to score any runs. With Gill and Nair back into the dugout, England went on to take the prized wicket of Rishabh Pant as well, the star batter departed on a score of 134 runs after Josh Tongue sent him back into the pavilion.
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