Heading into Day 2 of the 1st Test between India and England, the cricket world is buzzing with one burning question: Can Shubman Gill now convert his unbeaten 127 into a monumental double century—on his debut as Test captain?
India’s young powerhouse scored 127* on Day 1, and alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century (101) and Rishabh Pant’s counter-attacking 65*, has set the tone for a dominant Test. We examine Gill’s chances of history, India’s match situation, and conditions that could influence Day 2 at Headingley on June 21, 2025.
India’s Dominance on Day 1
| Player | Runs | Status | Balls Faced | 4s / 6s | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 127 | * | ~220 | 18/2 | Captaincy debut; sixth Test century |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 101 | 159 | 16/1 | Fifth Test ton; centuries in WI, AUS & ENG | |
| Rishabh Pant | 65 | * | 91 | 9/1 | Aggressive finish; late afternoon flourish |
| KL Rahul | 42 | ~80 | – | Solid start to the day | |
| Sai Sudharsan | 0 | 2 | – | Debut nerves |
Total: 359/3 in 85 overs after losing the toss against a weakened English bowling lineup lacking veterans like Anderson, Broad, Archer, and Wood.
India vs England 1st Test Match, Headingley, Leeds — Day 2 Live Updates and Analysis
As the second day of the India vs England 1st Test Match at Headingley unfolds, all eyes are on Shubman Gill, who is inching closer to a historic double century on his Test captaincy debut. The young Indian skipper, batting on an imperious 135 off 255 balls*, is partnered by vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who is playing a crucial hand with an unbeaten 77 off 117 deliveries*.
India’s Commanding Position: IND 380/3 in 92 Overs
| Batsman | Score | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 135* | 255 | 19 | 2 | Not Out |
| Rishabh Pant | 77* | 117 | 10 | 1 | Not Out |
| Total (Overs) | 380/3 | 92 | – | – | Day 2 |
The unbeaten fourth-wicket stand has now reached 150 runs off 223 balls, marking a monumental partnership that’s dismantling England’s bowling plans on a sunny Headingley morning.
Gill and Pant: Calm, Composed, and Crushing England
The Gill-Pant partnership has been the highlight of Day 2. After a quick sighter in the first few overs, both batters resumed where they left off on Day 1 — with Gill timing cover drives to perfection and Pant attacking anything loose.
In the 90th over, Pant executed a calculated glide past an empty third slip, showing his maturity in adapting to the match situation. The next over, Gill notched his career-best score in Test cricket, surpassing his previous high of 128.
Tactical Masterclass from India’s New Leaders
Shubman Gill, playing with the elegance of Laxman and the poise of Dravid, has exhibited:
- Crisp footwork, especially against full deliveries.
- Judicious shot selection, rarely flashing outside off.
- Strategic strike rotation, especially during England’s short-ball ploys.
Rishabh Pant, often labeled reckless, has shown his evolution. His 77* is measured, calculated, and peppered with classic boundaries — all while maintaining a 65+ strike rate.
England Struggle Without Veterans
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Woakes | 21 | 69 | 0 | 3.28 |
| Brydon Carse | 19 | 81 | 1 | 4.26 |
| Ben Stokes | 12 | 38 | 2 | 3.16 |
| Shoaib Bashir | Yet to bowl on Day 2 |
England’s bowling attack, lacking James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood, has failed to extract anything from a flat pitch. Woakes and Carse tried mixing lengths, but it was Ben Stokes, bowling with heart and hustle, who looked most threatening.
Headingley Conditions: Morning Sunshine, Afternoon Swing?
Day 2 Weather Report:
- Morning: Bright and sunny, favoring batting.
- Afternoon: Clouds expected, might assist seam movement.
- Evening: Possible rain interruptions.
The Indian batters must maximize this sunny session, as conditions could tilt slightly toward England post-lunch.
Expert Opinions
Sourav Ganguly on Gill’s Technique:
“His feet were fantastic. Didn’t make a mistake. I’m really impressed with his movement in these English conditions.”
Alastair Cook on England’s Decision to Bowl:
“In such hot weather, if you don’t bowl them out quickly, you’re asking your bowlers to back it up day after day. India have batted England out of the game for now.”
Jos Buttler on Jaiswal’s Basics:
“What makes him successful is his strong foundation — solid technique, good balance. That’s why he thrives across formats.”
Historical Significance: Gill Nearing Rare Milestone
If Shubman Gill reaches 200:
- He will become the first Indian captain to score a double century on Test debut as skipper.
- He would join the ranks of:
- Don Bradman (Australia)
- Graeme Smith (South Africa)
- Michael Clarke (Australia) — who scored 151 on captaincy debut and followed it with a double.
Live Play-By-Play Highlights (IST)
- 15:30 – Play resumes under a clear sky.
- 15:36 – Gill hits first boundary of Day 2, brings up career-best.
- 15:50 – Pant drives Carse to third man for boundary, 150-run stand achieved.
- 16:02 – India cross 380; both batters looking untroubled.
England’s Options from Here
- Stokes Bowling More Overs – He’s been England’s only consistent threat.
- Bring Shoaib Bashir Early – The pitch might have a bit for spin now.
- Target short ball tactics – Especially with clouds coming in, cross-seamers could surprise.
IND’s 300+ Away Test Feats: Gill Joins Historic List
| Match | Year | Day 1 Score | Key Contributors |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA vs IND (Bloemfontein) | 2001 | 372/7 | Tendulkar, Sehwag |
| PAK vs IND (Multan) | 2004 | 356/2 | Sehwag (309) |
| WI vs IND (North Sound) | 2016 | 302/4 | Dhawan, Pujara |
| SL vs IND (Galle) | 2017 | 399/3 | Dhawan, Pujara |
| ENG vs IND (Leeds) | 2025 | 380/3* | Gill 135*, Pant 77*, Jaiswal 101 |
What’s Next?
- If Gill continues batting into the afternoon, India might aim for 500+ before tea.
- With Pant accelerating and Jadeja waiting in the wings, India could bat England out of the match.
- Expect India’s seamers to come into play late Day 2 or early Day 3 under overcast skies.
Final Thoughts: A New Era Asserting Itself
This isn’t just a dominant Indian innings — it’s a statement. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired, doubts swirled around the Test side’s future.
Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant have delivered a powerful answer.
Watch out for:
- Shubman Gill double century captaincy debut
- IND vs ENG Live Score updates Day 2 Headingley
- Pant’s march to a Test hundred
- England’s strategy reset after a punishing start
Key Question: Will Gill Convert to a Double Century?
Stat Snapshot:
- Captaincy debut centuries by Indian batsmen:
- Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Virat Kohli—and now Gill.
Gill joins illustrious company. His maiden captaincy ton confirms his reliability on the big stage.
Ask: Can he push from 127 to 200?*
Factors:
- Physical stamina after batting ~220 balls.
- Mental resilience to remain composed under pressure.
- Pitch and weather changes—swing expected later (Day 2), easing batting.
- Partnerships with Pant (unbroken 138*) critical for stability.
Expectations are high. If September-style weather persists (overcast, swing), Gill and Pant’s partnership is key to building a massive lead.
Weather & Conditions: Swing Incoming
| Session | Weather | Expected Swing | Impact on Batting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Overcast, humid | High | Challenging for Gill-Pant |
| Afternoon | Cloud cover persists | Moderate–High | Testing, but manageable |
| Evening | Clearing | Low–Moderate | Ideal for batting finale |
Rain front due late morning. Swing conditions will test technique but could mellow by afternoon—optimizing Gill’s chance to extend.
Gill’s Approach: Captaincy, Technique, Temperament
Leadership Traits: Gill’s calm strokeplay and thoughtful shot selection typify his captaincy style—disciplined yet positive.
Technique: Heavy reliance on off-stump line vs. moving ball. His adaptability against seam would count.
Temperament: Unlike debutant jitters, Gill showed clarity and patience—critical to convert hundreds into big runs.
Analogy: Akin to Kohli’s 2017 Christchurch century, where focus and partnerships drove conversion.
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India’s Day 1 Batting Highlights vs England
| Batsman | Runs | Not Out? | Balls Faced | 4s / 6s | Role/Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 127 | ✅ | ~220 | 18 / 2 | Captain’s debut century |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 101 | ❌ | 159 | 16 / 1 | Stylish opener performance in tough conditions |
| Rishabh Pant | 65 | ✅ | 91 | 9 / 1 | Counter-attacking cameo to lift late-day session |
| KL Rahul | 42 | ❌ | 80+ | – | Solid start in opening partnership |
| Sai Sudharsan | 0 | ❌ | 2 | – | Debut nerves in first timer |
Day 2 England Weather & Swing Conditions Forecast
| Time (IST) | Weather Condition | Swing Chance | Impact on India | Impact on England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Overcast, humid | High | Testing | Favorable |
| Afternoon | Cloud cover persists | Moderate–High | Challenging | Improved chances |
| Evening | Clearing skies later | Low–Moderate | Easier batting | Less swing bowling |
Comparing 300+ Opening Days on India’s Tours Abroad
| Venue | Year | Day 1 Score | Notable Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloemfontein | 2001 | 372/7 | Tendulkar, Sehwag |
| Multan | 2004 | 356/2 | Sehwag (triple century) |
| North Sound | 2016 | 302/4 | Dhawan, Pujara |
| Galle | 2017 | 399/3 | Dhawan, Pujara |
| Headingley (2025) | 2025 | 359/3 | Gill, Jaiswal, Pant |
Leadership Debut Centuries in Test Captaincy
| Indian Captains | Venue | Debut Innings Score | Century? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | Kingston | 97 | ❌ | Missed century narrowly |
| Dilip Vengsarkar | Hyderabad | 110 | ✅ | First Indian to score century on captaincy debut |
| Vijay Hazare | Christchurch | 119 | ✅ | Historic West Indies tour performance |
| Virat Kohli | Kolkata | 105 | ✅ | Home debut as Test captain |
| Shubman Gill (2025) | Leeds | 127* | ✅ | Sixth Indian with debut captain century |
Key Partnerships & Match Momentum – Day 1
| Partnership | Runs | Overs | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rahul–Jaiswal (1st Wk) | 91 | ~30 | Solidified platform after early overs |
| Gill–Jaiswal (3rd Wk) | 140+ | ~40 | Took control; shifted momentum decisively |
| Gill–Pant (Post-Jaiswal) | 138* | ~25 | Uplifted run rate and morale late in day |
Crucial Partnership: Pant at the Other End
Pant’s 65* shows intent. If the duo can share 200+ stand:
- Gill can pace himself: anchor-through overs.
- Pant offers counter-attack as strike-rotator.
Broken-bat story aside, Gill can rely on Pant to extract momentum.
Historic Comparisons: India’s Overseas Opening Days
| Venue | Year | Day 1 Score | Notable Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloemfontein | 2001 | 372/7 | Tendulkar, Sehwag |
| Multan | 2004 | 356/2 | Sehwag tri-hundred |
| North Sound | 2016 | 302/4 | Dhawan, Pujara |
| Galle | 2017 | 399/3 | Dhawan, Pujara |
| Headingley (2025) | 2025 | 359/3 | Gill, Jaiswal, Pant |
India’s overseas Day 1 dominance is rare. Headingley joins elite ranks—it sets the stage for Gill’s double ton.
Tactical Scenarios to Watch
- Overcast morning: Premier swing hour; early wickets trap.
- Gill fatigue: Mental/physical test if batting extends.
- Break points: Milestones at 150, 175—critical focus zones.
- Team depth: Jadeja and Shardul stand ready to capitalize.
- England’s response: Stokes’ bowlers must exploit conditions quickly.
Conclusion: The New India on Display
- Gill’s mission: Cement Test captaincy with a historic double.
- India’s status: Commanding position, unmatched depth.
- Test 2-challenge: Swing and fatigue tests loom.
- Watchpoint: Gill-Pant synergy could seal Day 2.
Live update: Track IND vs ENG live score, Headingley Day 2 in real time as Gill nears a potential double ton and a defining early mark on his captaincy.