Team India produced a solid batting performance on the opening day of the second Test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. After England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to field first under overcast skies, Indian batters responded confidently, finishing Day 1 at 310 for 5 in 85 overs.
India’s innings was headlined by a fluent century from skipper Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 114 off 216 balls, including 12 boundaries. Gill showed great composure and patience, anchoring the innings through multiple partnerships and holding firm even as wickets fell at the other end.
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a blazing start, scoring an attacking 87 off 107 deliveries. His knock featured 13 crisp boundaries and set the tone for India’s dominance in the early sessions. Jaiswal looked well set for a century before falling short, handing England a much-needed breakthrough.
Joining Gill in the final session was Ravindra Jadeja, who played with assurance and ended the day unbeaten on 41 off 67 balls, striking five boundaries. The duo added crucial runs in the final hour, frustrating the English bowlers and ensuring India ended the day on a high.
For England, Chris Woakes was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 2 for 59 in 21 overs. He bowled a disciplined spell and struck at key moments. Brydon Carse, Ben Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir chipped in with one wicket apiece, but none of the bowlers were able to apply sustained pressure on the Indian batters throughout the day.
With India posting over 300 runs on the board on the opening day and two set batters still at the crease, the visitors will look to push towards a big first-innings total on Day 2. England, on the other hand, will hope for early breakthroughs in the morning session to claw their way back into the contest.
