The first Test of the Shubman Gill era has begun in style. After the 25-year-old struck a century on captaincy debut during the first day of the Headingley Test against England, Rishabh Pant got to the triple-figure mark in the first session of the second day as their partnership soared past 150 to frustrate England. It meant that three Indians had scored a hundred in this innings after Yashasvi Jaiswal's sensational knock on the first day.
It is only the second instance of three Indian batters scoring a century in the same Test innings in England. Back in 2002, Rahul Dravid, along with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, had achieved this feat, incidentally at the same venue, setting up what was a famous overseas Test win. It was the second Test of the series at the time, following India's nerve-wracking draw at Trent Bridge in the series opener. At Headingley on a grass surface under overcast conditions, Ganguly shocked the world when he opted to bat after winning the toss. For a side not known to travel well in Test cricket, the onus was on India's batters to put up a resilient show. Makeshift opener Sanjay Bangar along with Dravid set the platform for India, laying the foundation for a historic batting performance.
Bangar and Dravid combined for a 170-run stand but what stood out was the number of deliveries that they faced between them. The partnership lasted 67.3 overs as they blunted out the new-ball with a mix of solid defence and great leaves outside the off stump. Once the surface eased out, the second new ball wasn't as much of a concern as Tendulkar and Ganguly joined Dravid in the centurions list in the innings. Tendulkar's innings ensured that India continued to consolidate their position while Ganguly went bonkers to add quick runs to the total. Eventually the total of 628 was enough for India to bowl England out twice. Ironically, on a seam-friendly surface, it were India's spinners who put critical performances in the victory.
Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh combined for 11 wickets out of the 20 English scalps as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Only time will tell whether this performance from Gill and co will result in a victory, but the batters have set the platform for the home side. The first day had a similar feel to the 2002 Headingley Test, although the conditions were a lot different. The pressure, however, was more this time around as it was the first game of a new era. KL Rahul and Jaiswal had set the platform with a solid opening stand, before Jaiswal and Gill strengthened the position with their partnership. Resuming the second day at 359/3, England continued to attack with their field settings in a bid to maximise the new ball, but neither Gill nor Pant seemed to be in any trouble. There wasn't much movement on offer, except for the occasional delivery that made a slight shift. England's seamers were guilty of bowling too full with the new ball on day one, and hence, they dragged their lengths back a fraction on the second morning, but they failed to get a wicket in the first hour on both days.
Pant got to the milestone with his trademark one-handed six over mid-wicket, after Ben Stokes had got the field up for off-spinner Shoaib Bashir with the left-hander on 99. There was only going to be one outcome: Pant attempting a big shot, and he succeeded in getting himself into the history books. It is his seventh Test ton, the most by an Indian wicket-keeper in the format, overtaking MS Dhoni in the process.
