India kicked off the second Test at Edgbaston on a high note, thanks to a commanding unbeaten 114 from captain Shubman Gill. India closed Day 1 at a strong 310/5 against England, with Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing a valuable 87 to support the innings.
Under cloudy skies and conditions favoring swing, England skipper Ben Stokes chose to bowl first without a second thought after winning the toss. The English side remained unchanged from their previous outing, while India made three changes in their playing XI, reshuffling the batting order to strengthen the middle.
Take a bow, Captain Shubman Gill 👏👏
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 2, 2025
📸📸 The Centurion from Day 1 in Edgbaston! 💯#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/uC7ZJdoSEK
Although the early conditions favoured England's bowlers, India managed to recover from the early loss of KL Rahul, thanks to the solid contributions from Jaiswal and later Gill.
Jaiswal sets the tone after early setback
India's innings began with a setback when KL Rahul was bowled by Chris Woakes for just 2 runs. Woakes, who bowled a tight and probing spell, troubled the top order and nearly had two more wickets through LBW appeals, but both decisions went in favour of the batters after DRS reviews.
After Rahul’s dismissal, Jaiswal and Karun Nair stitched together a much-needed 80-run partnership. Jaiswal batted with great assurance, unleashing a mix of crisp drives and powerful pulls, and brought up his fifty with flair. His aggressive approach, especially against Josh Tongue’s short-pitched bowling, brought quick runs.
Unfortunately, Nair couldn’t make it to lunch, as a rising delivery from Brydon Carse took the edge of his bat and was safely caught at second slip.
Gill holds the innings together
Post lunch, captain Shubman Gill joined Jaiswal and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking while playing cautiously. The English bowlers bowled with better control in the second session, drying up boundaries.
HUNDRED in Headingley 💯
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 2, 2025
HUNDRED in Edgbaston 💯
Captain Shubman Gill gets his 7th Test Century 🤩
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Still, Gill and Jaiswal looked comfortable until Jaiswal fell for 87 while trying to cut a wide delivery, missing out on what could have been his fourth Test hundred.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant showed brief aggression with a six over long-on just before tea, but his attacking instincts cost him his wicket in the final session when he went off spinner Shoaib Bashir, but mistimed it straight to the fielder stationed near the boundary.
Soon after, Nitish Reddy, promoted ahead of Jadeja, misjudged a delivery from Woakes that jagged back in and was bowled, putting India in a spot of bother at 211/5.
Gill-Jadeja rescue mission revives India
Just when it looked like England might gain control, Gill found solid support in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The pair dug deep, showing great composure and patience to guide India out of trouble. Gill completed his century in style with back-to-back boundaries off part-timer Joe Root, roaring in celebration after reaching the milestone his second century in as many Tests since becoming India’s full-time Test captain.
Very well supported by Ravindra Jadeja at the other end. 👏
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) July 2, 2025
41*(67) with 5 fours, Keep going. 🙌#RavindraJadeja #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND #INDvENG #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/63IHoL1jm5
As the second new ball was taken, both Gill and Jadeja continued to bat sensibly, dealing with tricky deliveries while also capitalizing on loose balls. Jadeja got a late reprieve when a thick edge slipped through the slips and raced to the boundary, perfectly capturing a day filled with challenges and fortune.
At the close of play, Gill stood firm on 114 not out, with Jadeja providing steady support at the other end on 41. Their unbroken 99-run stand ensured India closed the day with momentum firmly in their favour.