Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal Shine on Day One of Second Test Against England

On the opening day of the second Test against England, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased their exceptional talent, earning praise from cricket legends. Gill scored an unbeaten 114, while Jaiswal contributed 87 runs, leading India to a strong position despite early setbacks. Their performances have sparked discussions about their potential to lead the future of Indian cricket. With endorsements from icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, the young duo is being hailed as the torchbearers of the next generation of cricketers. Read on to discover more about their remarkable innings and the match's unfolding drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2025, 02:12 IST

Outstanding Performances by Young Indian Stars

New Delhi [India], July 3: The young Indian cricket sensations, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, received high praise from cricketing legends including Sachin Tendulkar and former all-rounders Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif after their impressive performances on the first day of the second Test against England in Birmingham.

After winning the toss, England's captain Ben Stokes opted to bat first, mirroring the decision made in the series opener at Headingley. India made a slight adjustment to their lineup, with Jaiswal taking the field and KL Rahul continuing as an opener, while Karun Nair stepped in at number three to replace the dropped Sai Sudharsan.

England made an early impact, dismissing Rahul for just 2 runs as he chopped the ball onto his stumps. Karun Nair, who scored 31, narrowly avoided an lbw dismissal but could not capitalize on his fortune, departing just before the lunch break at Edgbaston.

Jaiswal and Test captain Gill then took charge, showcasing their skills against an inexperienced England bowling attack. Jaiswal dazzled with a brisk 87 off 107 balls, while Gill remained unbeaten at 114 off 216 deliveries, helping India reach 310 for 5 at the end of the day, despite a slight collapse after tea.

Sachin Tendulkar praised their efforts on social media, stating, "@ybj_19 set the tone from ball one. He was positive, fearless, and smartly aggressive. @ShubmanGill was calm under pressure, solid in defense, and in total control. Classy knocks from both. Well played, boys!"

Kaif highlighted Gill's impressive display at number four, expressing confidence that the 25-year-old will uphold the legacy of greats like Sachin and Virat. He remarked, "Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and now Shubman Gill... India is always blessed to have a solid world-class batsman at No. 4. Maybe this will continue forever. Gill is continuing a great tradition," he noted on social media.

Irfan Pathan expressed his belief that Jaiswal and Gill will lead the young Indian team into the future, stating, "I have no doubt in my mind that these two batters will take the Test team forward. YASHASVI JAISWAL & SHUBMAN GILL."

Former Indian player Wasim Jaffer commented on Gill's ability to handle the pressures of captaincy, saying, "Being India’s number 4 and Test captain comes with a different pressure altogether. It’s great to see it hasn’t affected his batting; in fact, it’s elevated it. Well played @ShubmanGill #ENGvIND."

Yuvraj Singh, who has mentored Gill, noted his remarkable achievement of scoring consecutive centuries as Test captain, stating, "When responsibility calls, some rise and some soar! @ShubmanGill just became one of the rare few to score consecutive hundreds as Test captain! A calm head, a bold bat, and a hunger to lead by example @GraemeSmith49 would be proud of the company!"

After Jaiswal's dismissal, vice-captain Rishabh Pant attempted to stabilize the innings but fell for 25, caught by the English skipper. Nitish Kumar Reddy, making his debut in England, was dismissed cheaply for 1 run after Chris Woakes struck.

Gill then formed an unbeaten 99-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, putting England under pressure.