India’s young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his first Test hundred on English soil during the opening day of the first Test against England in Leeds. The 23-year-old’s stunning knock set the stage for India.
The day started with England’s captain winning the toss and choosing to bowl, putting India in to bat under cloudy Leeds skies. Jaiswal, opening with KL Rahul, got to work right away, building a solid 91-run partnership before lunch. Things got shaky when India lost Rahul (42) and debutant Sai Sudharsan (6) quickly, leaving fans nervous. But Jaiswal stayed calm, teaming up with captain Shubman Gill for an unbeaten 123-run stand by tea, where Jaiswal reached his fifth Test hundred. His knock of 100 not out came off 144 balls, packed with 16 fours and a six, showing his flair and grit.
This was Jaiswal’s first Test match in England, making his hundred even more special. It’s also India’s first Test without legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from the format last month. Jaiswal stepped up big time, proving he’s ready to lead India’s new era. This is his third hundred against England—his last two, both double centuries, came during England’s 2024 tour of India. His other Test tons were against Australia (2024) and West Indies (2023), showing he’s no stranger to big scores.
By the end of day one, India was sitting pretty at 215/2, with Jaiswal (100 not out) and Gill (58 not out off 74 balls) in control. England’s bowlers struggled on a pitch perfect for batting, and fans on X were buzzing. Some praised Jaiswal’s fearless style, with one post calling him “India’s next big thing.” Others wondered why Abhimanyu Easwaran, another talented batter, was left out of the team, sparking debates online.
Jaiswal’s knock matters because it shows he can handle tough conditions abroad, especially without India’s usual heavyweights. England’s bowling attack, led by James Anderson, couldn’t break his focus, and his partnership with Gill has put India in a commanding spot. With two sessions left, India could pile on the runs, but England will fight back hard on day two.