The India vs. England 1st Test at Headingley, Leeds, kicked off the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship with an exciting Day 1 on June 20, 2025. India’s young team, led by captain Shubman Gill, took control, finishing the day at 359/3. As cricket fans on starexch prepare for Day 2, here’s a look back at Day 1’s highlights and a preview of what’s to come, filled with insights to improve your match experience.  

Day 1 Review: India’s Young Stars Shine 

Under Shubman Gill’s leadership—he is now the fifth-youngest Test captain in India’s history at 25 years and 285 days—India set the stage for a new era after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. England’s Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl, relying on Headingley’s reputation for seam-friendly conditions. However, India’s batsmen turned the situation around on a pitch that offered less movement than expected in the warm sunshine.  

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Brilliance: Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal dazzled at Headingley with a brilliant 101 off 159 balls, marking his fifth Test century and third against England. His off-side strokeplay was impressive, with 17 boundaries showcasing his accuracy. Battling cramps in 29°C humidity, Jaiswal raced to his second fifty in 48 balls before getting out to Stokes after tea. This achievement made him the first Indian to score centuries in debut Tests in both Australia and England, celebrated in Starexch discussions. 

Shubman Gill’s Captain’s Knock: Gill, batting at No. 4, set a strong example with an unbeaten 127 off 140 balls, becoming the fifth Indian to score a century on his captaincy debut. His innings combined aggression—he scored a fifty in 56 balls—and resilience, surviving a nervous single in the nineties and hitting a glorious cover drive off Josh Tongue to secure his hundred. His 129-run partnership with Jaiswal steadied India after a shaky start at 92/2.  

KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan’s Varied Outcomes: KL Rahul scored 42 off 73 balls, supporting a 91-run opening partnership with Jaiswal. They were the first visiting pair to survive the first 20 overs at Headingley since 2012. Unfortunately, a loose cover drive cost Rahul his wicket before lunch. Debutant Sai Sudharsan struggled, getting out for a duck after nicking Stokes down the leg side, with Jamie Smith taking the catch.  

Rishabh Pant’s Flair: Rishabh Pant finished the day unbeaten on 65, bringing his usual aggression. He crossed 3,000 Test runs and reached his 16th Test fifty. After hitting Stokes for a boundary off his second ball, Pant played wisely, building an unbroken 138-run partnership with Gill. A late six off Chris Woakes energized fans on Starexch, signaling India’s desire to take charge. 

England’s Efforts: England’s choice to bowl first backfired, as their seamers—Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Tongue—struggled for rhythm. Stokes stood out by dismissing Jaiswal, but Woakes gave away too many runs early, and Tongue showed inexperience. Shoaib Bashir bowled well but couldn’t claim a wicket, while a failed DRS review on Jaiswal highlighted England’s frustration. Pundits like Alastair Cook criticized Stokes’ decision, noting the pitch was unusually flat for a Day 1 at Headingley.  

Key Stat: India’s 359/3 is their highest Day 1 total in England, surpassing 338/7 at Edgbaston in 2022, generating buzz among Starexch fans following team 

performances.  

For fans tracking the action, best cricket exchange sites provide a dynamic way to stay engaged with the match’s twists and turns.

Day 2 Preview: India Aims to Maintain Control 

India’s Strategy: With Gill (127*) and Pant (65*) at the crease, India will aim to surpass 500 on Day 2. The hard pitch with live grass should favor batsmen as seam movement decreases, although cracks may help spinners like Kuldeep Yadav later. Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, and all-rounders like Shardul Thakur or Nitish Kumar Reddy add depth to the batting lineup. If India declares or gets bowled out, Jasprit Bumrah—who has dismissed Root nine times—will lead a strong attack alongside Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and possibly Harshit Rana. Fans on Starexch can expect vibrant discussions about India’s potential to dominate with both batting and bowling.  

England’s Response: England needs quick breakthroughs with the second new ball. Stokes and Woakes will lead the attack, with Tongue needing to improve after a mixed Day 1. Shoaib Bashir’s control could slow India’s scoring, but England’s bowling unit—without Archer or Wood—faces a tough challenge. If India bowls, England’s top order (Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook) will need to handle Bumrah’s fast bowling and Jadeja’s spin. Starexch users are excited about Root’s challenge against Bumrah as a key matchup.  

Weather Forecast: Day 2’s weather is uncertain, with some expecting dry conditions while others, like Ian Ward, warn of thunderstorms. Rain could interrupt India’s efforts for a large total or delay England’s reply, keeping Starexch followers on edge for updates. 

Players to Watch:  

Rishabh Pant (India): His 65* sets the stage for an exciting Day 2, potentially targeting England’s tiring bowlers.  

Shubman Gill (India): Can he turn his 127* into a double century and strengthen his leadership status?  

Ben Stokes (England): His all-around performance is England’s best chance to regain momentum.  

Jasprit Bumrah (India): If India bowls, his matchup with Joe Root will engage Starexch audiences.  

Why Starexch is Your Match Companion 

Starexch enhances the India vs. England 1st Test experience with real-time updates, player stats, and lively community discussions. Track Jaiswal’s boundary count, Gill’s memorable moments, or Bumrah’s wicket-taking skills to stay involved in the action. The platform’s insights—like Jaiswal’s 1,798 runs in the 2023-25 WTC cycle or Rahul’s warm-up century—make it the ideal hub for cricket fans to follow every moment.  

Conclusion  

Day 1 showcased India’s new generation, with Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant overpowering England’s attack. As Day 2 approaches, will India add more runs, or can Stokes’ team respond? Join the action on Starexch for live updates and watch the drama unfold at 3:30 PM IST on June 21. The Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy is off to a thrilling start—don’t miss it!