India scripted a commendable recovery on the opening day of the second Test against England at Edgbaston, finishing at a healthy 310/5 at stumps. Skipper Shubman Gill led the charge with an unbeaten 114, while Yashasvi Jaiswal’s attacking 87 set the tone early on.
The duo’s contrasting styles provided balance, as India recovered from a mini-collapse in the final session thanks to a crucial unbeaten 99-run stand between Gill and Ravindra Jadeja (41*). With the pitch flattening out and the English bowlers struggling to capitalise on early breakthroughs, the visitors have set a solid foundation heading into Day 2.
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Overcast Start, Tactical Changes
Wednesday morning in Birmingham brought with it heavy cloud cover and a damp tinge to the surface—perfect conditions for England to unleash their pace unit. Unsurprisingly, Ben Stokes opted to bowl first after winning the toss. England retained their XI from the first Test, while India made three key alterations: Karun Nair slotted in at No. 3, Nitish Reddy came in for Shardul Thakur, and Rishabh Pant retained the gloves.
India’s restructured batting order was under immediate scrutiny, and KL Rahul’s dismissal for 2—chopping onto his stumps off Chris Woakes—only added to the tension.
Jaiswal’s Aggression Counters Swing
Despite the early blow, Yashasvi Jaiswal didn’t let the movement in the air and off the deck faze him. He showed positive intent, especially against Josh Tongue and Woakes, who kept probing with good lengths. Two LBW reviews against Jaiswal and Karun Nair—both marginal and surviving on umpire’s call—highlighted the luck factor early in the innings.
Jaiswal cashed in during the second hour, dispatching three successive short balls from Tongue to the boundary with commanding hooks and pulls. His stroke-filled 87 was a masterclass in calculated risk-taking and ensured India kept moving forward despite challenging conditions.
Karun Nair’s Brief Stay
Karun Nair looked fluent after his early LBW scare. He punished anything overpitched and showcased elegant drives, particularly against Tongue. However, his resistance ended just before lunch.
Brydon Carse surprised him with extra bounce, and a tentative fend landed straight to Harry Brook at second slip, cutting short what could have been a significant contribution.
Consolidation through Gill and Jaiswal
Post-lunch, Shubman Gill and Jaiswal continued to frustrate England’s attack. With the ball losing some of its initial bite and the pitch flattening out, the Indian pair focused on grinding out runs. Gill remained cautious, keeping his cover drives in check, while Jaiswal attacked loose deliveries with style.
The calmness with which both batters rotated strike and punished errors was crucial. However, just when it seemed Jaiswal was heading for another hundred, he threw his wicket away. Attempting a flashy cut off a wide short ball from Stokes, he bottom-edged to the keeper, departing for 87 and leaving India at 170/3.
Pant’s Brilliance & Bashir’s Revenge
Rishabh Pant brought flair to the middle with a powerful six off Shoaib Bashir just before Tea. His aggressive instincts were reined in for the most part, as he chose to respect the conditions and bowlers. However, that aggression eventually led to his downfall. Bashir tossed one up invitingly, and Pant obliged with an ambitious loft that found Zak Crawley at long-on.
England pounced on the opportunity and struck again in the next over. Nitish Reddy, promoted above Jadeja, misjudged a delivery from Woakes that nipped back sharply and disturbed his off stump. From a position of strength at 182/3, India found themselves wobbling at 196/5.
Captain’s Stand: Gill Shows Maturity
Unfazed by the collapse around him, Gill anchored the innings with composure. He brought up his fifty by lofting Bashir over the sightscreen and then settled into a period of accumulation. England tried everything—from sharp pace to subtle variations—but Gill absorbed the pressure magnificently.
The highlight of his innings came when he reached his century with two authoritative boundaries off Joe Root, celebrating with a loud roar that echoed across Edgbaston. This was Gill’s second ton in as many matches as Test captain, reaffirming his rise as a leader and dependable batter.
Jadeja’s Assurance and England’s Missed Chances
Ravindra Jadeja complemented Gill perfectly. Coming in at a crucial juncture, he looked untroubled and confident. He offered stability, allowing Gill to play his natural game without added pressure. Jadeja survived a close call when an edge flew between second slip and gully, adding to England’s frustration.
Chris Woakes, despite being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/54, had an eventful day. Two unsuccessful reviews, missed edges, and a few near-misses summed up his luckless toil on a surface that didn’t quite reward consistency later in the day.
The Final Hour: Advantage India
As the second new ball was taken, England hoped for a breakthrough. However, Gill and Jadeja held firm, adding 99 unbeaten runs and guiding India past the 300-run milestone. The new ball offered scoring opportunities, and both batters capitalised, threading boundaries with ease.
India’s total of 310/5 at stumps reflected a day of measured aggression, recovery, and strategic partnerships. The momentum is firmly with the visitors, and with Gill and Jadeja still at the crease, England will need early wickets on Day 2 to claw their way back.
What To Expect on Day 2
India will aim to build on this strong foundation and push their total beyond 500 if possible. The pitch appears to be flattening out, which means batting conditions could improve further. England, on the other hand, will need to strike early and prevent a massive first-innings total. With the ball only 10 overs old, the first hour will be crucial.
“I just focused on playing late and sticking to my strengths. The partnership with Jadeja really settled the innings,” said Shubman Gill at the end of play. “We knew the conditions would assist early on, so the plan was to attack loose deliveries. Happy to have contributed,” remarked Jaiswal.
Score Summary – India 1st Innings (Day 1)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y Jaiswal | 87 | 121 | 12 | 1 |
| KL Rahul | 2 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| K Nair | 34 | 68 | 5 | 0 |
| S Gill* | 114* | 214 | 13 | 1 |
| R Pant (wk) | 23 | 35 | 3 | 1 |
| N Reddy | 5 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| R Jadeja | 41* | 77 | 6 | 0 |
England Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Woakes | 21 | 6 | 54 | 2 |
| B Carse | 18 | 2 | 62 | 1 |
| J Tongue | 16 | 2 | 61 | 0 |
| S Bashir | 17 | 1 | 72 | 1 |
| B Stokes | 12 | 1 | 36 | 1 |
| J Root | 5 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
FAQs
Who top-scored for India on Day 1 of the 2nd Test?
Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 114 at stumps.
How many wickets did Chris Woakes take?
Woakes picked up 2 wickets for 54 runs.
Why did India make changes in their XI?
India aimed for more batting depth, which led to three changes from the previous Test.
How did Jaiswal get out?
He edged a short and wide delivery from Ben Stokes to the wicketkeeper.
What is India’s score at the end of Day 1?
India finished at 310/5 at stumps.
