Shubman Gill registered his sixth Test century and his first as India’s Test captain on Day 1 of the opening Test against England at Leeds on Friday. Taking charge of a young Indian team in transition, Gill has stepped into leadership following the recent retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin.
The Indian skipper reached his century off 140 balls, striking 14 fours in a composed innings that kept India on course. He was ably supported by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who notched up a hundred of his own before being dismissed for 101. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant then joined Gill to maintain stability at the crease.
Fans praised Shubman Gill‘s century. Here are some reactions from Twitter:
First Test century as India 𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷 for Shubman Gill 💯#ENGvIND 📝: https://t.co/FXxW1HkGLm pic.twitter.com/dkaDdWvsmH
— ICC (@ICC) June 20, 2025
🚨 RECORD-BREAKING MOMENT 🇮🇳
Shubman Gill announces his captaincy era with a STUNNING century vs England in Test cricket! 💥
Rishabh Pant is also putting on a batting masterclass. 🔥
India’s next-gen Diamond is shining BRIGHT! #INDvsENG #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/yiPA5n4WYl
— Adorable (@rehnedotum_) June 20, 2025
THE ROAR OF CAPTAIN SHUBMAN GILL 🥶 pic.twitter.com/bm2AuPWZEv
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 20, 2025
Debut inns as Capt
Debut inns at No.41st Century in ENG & Overseas as well.
Brilliant inns under pressure for Shubman Gill 👏 pic.twitter.com/RTOSC0daxg— 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡⚡ (@KrishnaKunj_17) June 20, 2025
HEADINGLEY 2002 Vibes, Yashasvi Jaiswal Century, Shubman Gill Century, Rishabh Pant Half Century. #INDvsENG #INDvsENGTest
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) June 20, 2025
Congratulations to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill for scoring Hundreds against England today💥#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/oct3p4AngM
— Ayush (@AyushCricket32) June 20, 2025
Earlier in the day, Jaiswal’s aggressive strokeplay put India in control of the first Test in the five-match series. At tea, India stood at 215/2, having recovered strongly after choosing to bat first under humid but clear skies at Headingley.
India Start Well After England Decide To Bowl First
Despite conditions favoring batting, England captain Ben Stokes opted to bowl first—continuing a local trend where the team bowling first has won the last six Tests at Leeds. However, the Indian openers KL Rahul and Jaiswal made that call look questionable, guiding India to a solid start and nearing the 100-run mark unbeaten before lunch.
With many of England’s main fast bowlers out due to injuries, it was Brydon Carse—playing his first Test match at home—who gave his team a breakthrough by dismissing KL Rahul for 42 just as he was settling in. Then, debutant Sai Sudharsan got out for zero on the last ball before lunch.
After the break, India were 92/2, and new captain Gill faced pressure to deliver after Kohli and Rohit’s retirement. Gill got solid support from Jaiswal, who hit a quick fifty and later scored his third century against England despite a hand injury. Gill also impressed with his fastest Test fifty and first as captain, helping India take charge by tea.
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