The opening day of the third Test between England and India at Headingley belonged largely to the visitors, who posted a formidable 359/3 by stumps. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill stole the show with their commanding centuries, placing India in the driver’s seat early in the contest. But amidst the Indian dominance, England skipper Ben Stokes produced a moment of magic to end Jaiswal’s majestic innings with a peach of a delivery.
Ben Stokes dismisses Yashasvi Jaiswal with a dream delivery
In what was easily the highlight of England’s bowling effort, Stokes showcased his class with a sensational delivery that dismantled Jaiswal’s stumps just after tea. The Indian opener, who had reached his fourth Test hundred shortly before the break and looked set for another marathon knock, was caught off guard by an inswinging gem that pitched on a good length and straightened just enough to sneak past his defense.
Stokes, clocking in at 140kph, ran in with purpose and outsmarted Jaiswal, who could only watch as his bails were sent flying. The left-hander’s knock ended on 101, marking his first century on English soil.
Here’s the video:
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India’s young guns step up in style
Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave India a commanding start in the opening session, almost cruising through unscathed until Rahul’s aggressive instincts got the better of him. Attempting one too many cover drives, he nicked a delivery straight to first slip just before the lunch interval, bringing an end to a promising 91-run partnership. The breakthrough, delivered by Brydon Carse, injected some much-needed energy into the English camp. Debutant Sai Sudharsan then joined Jaiswal at the crease but his first outing in Test cricket turned sour quickly as he was caught behind for a duck. That quick double strike helped England claw back some momentum just before the break.
After lunch, Gill took charge with a proactive approach, standing outside the crease to counter movement and racing to a fluent 56-ball fifty—his fastest in Tests—while Jaiswal supported steadily despite dealing with short-ball pressure and right-hand cramps en route to a 144-ball century. Their 129-run stand ended when Stokes soon after tea. Rishabh Pant arrived with intent, launching his second ball for four, but settled into a more composed rhythm as Gill continued to dominate. The Indian captain reached his sixth Test hundred—his first outside Asia—and joined an elite club of Indian captains to score a century in their debut innings as leader, while Pant marked his own milestone with a fifty and 3000 career Test runs.
Also READ: Fans go crazy as Shubman Gill slams hundred on captaincy debut for India in the Leeds Test against England
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