Birmingham, July 2 . Shubman Gill produced a captain’s innings under pressure, scoring a memorable unbeaten century on the opening day of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, as India ended the day at 310 for 5 in 85 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja played a gritty hand at the other end, finishing on 41* as the pair shared a vital 99-run unbroken partnership to lift India from a nervy 211 for 5.
Gill, who now has back-to-back centuries in this series, reached the milestone in the 80th over with a powerful sweep off Joe Root to the fine-leg boundary. The young skipper erupted in delight, roaring, waving his helmet, and kissing the bat in a spirited celebration. It was his seventh Test century and arguably his most mature, coming at a time when India had lost two wickets in quick succession.
The second new ball had just become available when Gill capitalised on Root being given the 80th over, a tactical delay that worked to the batsman’s advantage. From there, he pressed on with crisp strokes, including a thick edge past gully off Brydon Carse in the 82nd and a fine cut earlier off Josh Tongue when no third man was in place.
Jadeja, meanwhile, mixed caution with aggression. He was fortunate early on, edging Chris Woakes between slip and gully, but soon opened up, lofting Shoaib Bashir over cover and punching Tongue through point with elegance. His confidence grew as the partnership developed, and he stood firm with Gill to deny England further breakthroughs late in the day.
Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with a sparkling 87 off 107 balls, peppered with 13 boundaries. He looked set for another century before bottom-edging a wide delivery from Ben Stokes to the keeper at 161. The dismissal, which came against the run of play, handed England renewed momentum in the afternoon session.
Rishabh Pant’s cameo added quick runs — including a six off Bashir — but his attacking instincts cost him his wicket as he holed out to long-on in the 61st over. Just three runs later, Nitish Kumar Reddy offered no shot to a seaming delivery from Woakes and had his off-stump disturbed, reducing India to 211 for 5.
Karun Nair (31 off 50) had earlier partnered Jaiswal in an 80-run second-wicket stand before being undone by a short ball from Carse that reared up into his body. KL Rahul was the first to fall, edging Woakes for 2 in the morning session.
England’s bowlers toiled but couldn’t maintain consistent pressure. Woakes (2/59) was the most effective, while Carse, Stokes, and Bashir picked up a wicket each. Josh Tongue proved expensive and Root bowled briefly before the second new ball became available.
India’s decision to make three changes — bringing in Washington Sundar, Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy — was aimed at shoring up both spin depth and lower-order batting after the opening loss. And with Gill leading from the front, India finished the day on top.
Stumps, Day 1: India 310/5 in 85 overs
Shubman Gill 114 (216), Ravindra Jadeja 41* (67), Rahul 2, Nair 31, Jaiswal 87, Pant 25, Reddy 1
Bowling: Woakes 2/59, Carse 1/49, Stokes 1/58, Bashir 1/65
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