Shubman Gill has matured since IPL captaincy: Nasser Hussain praises Leeds hundred
Former England captain Nasser Hussain lavished praise on Shubman Gill following the Indian skipper's composed and authoritative hundred on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. Gill's unbeaten 127 put India in a commanding position in the opening match of the Anderson Trophy, marking a statement-making start to his Test captaincy tenure.Centuries from Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal powered India to a dominant 359 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against England in Leeds on Friday. Jaiswal struck his fifth Test hundred just before the tea break, reaching the milestone in 144 balls with 16 boundaries and a six.advertisementGill, leading India for the first time in Test cricket, brought up a memorable century in the final session, finishing unbeaten on 127 to cap off a commanding day for the visitors.
Hussain, speaking to Sky Sports, said Gill's maturity has grown significantly since taking over the captaincy of Gujarat Titans in the IPL, noting how the batter's white-ball background has helped shape his attacking instincts without compromising his technique."They're brought up on a lot of white-ball cricket, and they're coming out of the IPL, so they know how to hit boundaries. But they got the balance right; they hit the bad balls for boundaries," Hussain said."Brilliant day for India. The message would be to go again tomorrow. Gill has matured a lot since he got the captaincy for the Gujarat Titans," he added.advertisementENG vs IND 1st Test Day 1 HighlightsBatting at No. 4—a spot historically occupied by legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli-Gill absorbed the pressure and counterattacked in trademark fashion. It was his first Test century in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries, and he became only the fourth Indian after Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kohli to score a century on captaincy debut.Gill arrived at the crease in the second session and wasted no time settling in. Displaying his elegant timing and strong footwork, he went after England's seamers from the outset. The 25-year-old took a particular liking to Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue, consistently punishing anything remotely loose. His intent was backed by precision, allowing him to dictate terms on a flat Headingley track.Partnering with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill forged a crucial 129-run stand for the third wicket. Jaiswal, who also reached his fifth Test century, was dismissed early in the third session by Ben Stokes. With India at a potential turning point, Gill anchored the innings with a mix of caution and controlled aggression.He reached his century off 140 deliveries with a boundary off Tongue, bowing to the dressing room in celebration as applause echoed around the ground.Tune In You May Also Like
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Karun Nair's return after 8 years ends in a whimper as Ben Stokes dismisses him for a duck: 'Dangerous thing to do...'
All eyes were on Karun Nair on how he performs upon his return to the Test playing XI after eight years. However, the right-handed batter disappointed as he was dismissed for a duck on Day 2 of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. The 33-year-old lasted just four balls in the middle as he was sent back to the dressing room by England skipper Ben Stokes. India vs England, 1st Test: Karun Nair got out for a duck on his return to the playing XI after eight years. (Action Images via Reuters) Karun Nair went for a big booming cover drive off the bowling of Stokes. However, he was unable to time it perfectly, and Ollie Pope ended up taking a marvellous catch. Stokes bowled a full outswinger wide of off stump. There was merit in going for a cover drive. However, Karun Nair was unable to get the timing. The ball was flying, but Ollie Pope dived full length to his left and took the catch with both his hands overhead. 'He was looking to play a cover drive. Dangerous thing to do at the start of your innings. He would have been better off had he slashed at that delivery,' said Sanjay Manjrekar on air while commentating on JioHotstar. Coincidentally, debutant Sai Sudharsan also lasted four balls in the middle, the same as Karun Nair. Both batters were eventually dismissed by Stokes. Karun Nair got into the India squad for the series against England on the back of strong performances for Vidharba in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The right-handed batter put on a run-scoring spree, and the selectors were unable to look past him for the England tour. Karun Nair batted at the No.3 and No.4 spots in India A's two unofficial Tests against England Lions. However, he was asked to bat at No.6 in the first Test against England in Headingley. Also Read: IND vs ENG, LIVE Score: Strong spell for England accounts for both centurions Karun Nair's absence from the India playing XI for eight years even created a record, as he missed the most consecutive international matches for a men's team between appearances (402). India strengthen their grip in the first Test After being asked to bat, India strengthened its grip in the Headingley Test, following centuries by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. On Day 2, Rishabh Pant completed his seventh Test ton. On the other hand, Shubman Gill missed out on going past 150 as he got out for 147 off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir. Earlier, Jaiswal and Gill had slammed centuries on the opening day of the Test. Ben Stokes has been the pick of the England bowlers so far, as he has been the one to trouble the Indian batters on most occasions.
India Today
35 minutes ago
- India Today
Watch: After IPL, Rishabh Pant celebrates Test comeback hundred with frontflip
The star batter and India's Test vice-captain recreated his now-viral celebration at Headingley after bringing up a stunning 146-ball century against England on June 21. Just like in IPL 2025, Pant marked the milestone with a front flip—cementing a quirky new tradition in his cricketing this year, Pant had first pulled off the celebration after smashing a 61-ball century for Lucknow Super Giants in their final IPL fixture of the season, against eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That ton had come after a season filled with struggles and underwhelming performances, and the flip was a statement of resurgence. Fast-forward just a few weeks, and the same celebration reappeared—this time on one of Test cricket's grandest vs IND, 1st Test Day 2: UpdatesWHAT A KNOCK, WHAT A CELEBRATION!2018, 2021 & now 2025 - - continues on the English soil!7th Test century4th vs ENG in Tests3rd in ENG in Tests#ENGvIND 1st Test, Day 2 | Streaming LIVE NOW on JioHotstar Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 21, 2025 Pant's hundred at Headingley was his seventh in Test cricket, and notably, his third against England—a team he has often brought his best against. The milestone came in typically flamboyant fashion, with Pant launching spinner Shoaib Bashir into the stands to bring up his arrived at the crease on Day 1 after the dismissal of fellow centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had scored 101, stitching together a vital 129-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill. While Jaiswal's exit could have been a turning point, Pant's authoritative presence ensured the momentum stayed with India. Playing with a mix of controlled aggression and maturity, he helped Gill—who was captaining India for the first time—reach his own century with growing Day 2, Pant resumed on 65* off 102 balls and shifted gears immediately. In just the next 38 deliveries, he raced to his century, taking on an England attack that featured Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Shoaib the time he hit that celebratory flip again, Pant had not just entertained—he'd made a Watch
India Today
35 minutes ago
- India Today
ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant breaks MS Dhoni's long-standing record with 7th Test hundred
India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant etched his name in the history books as he registered the most centuries by an India wicketkeeper in Tests. Pant achieved the milestone on Day 2 of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. The southpaw resumed his innings on the overnight score of 65 and scored his first runs of the day with a boundary down fine leg against Brydon continued to take on the England seamer, collecting two more boundaries against him. He further took on Shoaib Bashir, whacking him for a four and a six to move into the 90s. He finally completed the landmark with a massive six against Bashir over deep mid-wicket and celebrated in his usual manner with a vs IND 1st Test Day 2 Updates Upon reaching the landmark, he left behind MS Dhoni in the list of most centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper batter. The former India captain scored six Test hundreds in his career from 90 matches, while Pant brought up his seventh Test ton in 44 games. He also climbed to the fourth spot in the list for most Test centuries in international cricket, joining Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, Matt Prior and BJ Watling on the was the third Test century for Pant in England, making him the only overseas wicketkeeper batter to do so in the country. Earlier on Day 1, Pant began his innings in his usual fashion by going after Ben Stokes on just his second ball as he used his feet and whacked him for a four straight down the ground. However, post that, the southpaw showed great restraint by not going after Shoaib Bashir, scoring just 16 runs off his next 44 scored his second boundary on his 48th ball, which was through an outside edge against Chris Woakes. He finally began to attack Shoaib Bashir after 60 deliveries as he pulled him for a four and later used his feet to whack him for a six in the following over. He brought up his fifty off 91 balls and also completed 3000 runs in Tests.
