England’s bowling blunder at Headingley: How Pant and Gill seized control

India's batsmen, led by Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, took command at Headingley, putting England's bowling under severe pressure. Gill's unbeaten 127 and Pant's steady 65 not out helped India reach 359/3 by stumps on Day 1 of the Test series.

Pant's approach, blending caution with controlled aggression, earned praise from cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who noted, "Because he gives himself that time early on, it becomes easier for him to play those aggressive strokes later."

England's bowling attack struggled, with Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue conceding runs at over 4.3 per over, a rate described as "sub-optimal" in some cricketing cultures. Woakes' slower yorker was read and blocked effectively by Pant, highlighting the batsmen's dominance.

Pant also demonstrated leadership on the field, cautioning his partner against risky shots, as captured on stump mic: "Niche hi reh nikal raha hai toh. Ye aa jaata, uth gaya." (Keep it down if you're stepping out. That one rose a bit, could've been caught.)

The Headingley pitch, known for its unpredictability and favoring the team bowling first in recent Tests, saw India defy expectations with a commanding batting display. Despite England's efforts, the visitors set a strong foundation in the opening match of the five-Test series.

This performance signals a shift in momentum, with Pant's captaincy and measured batting approach pivotal in India's early dominance at Headingley.

India dominated England at Headingley as Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill seized control with measured, aggressive batting. England's bowling faltered, with Chris Woakes and others conceding over 4.3 runs per over. Pant's captaincy and cautious approach earned praise from Sunil Gavaskar, marking a strong start in the Test series.