Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Starts with Defeat as England Beat India in First Test Despite 5 Indian Centuries

Image Credit: BCCI

Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut in Test cricket began with heartbreak as India fell to a five-wicket defeat against England at Headingley in the first of the five-match series. Despite a commanding total of over 800 runs across two innings and five centuries scored by four Indian batters, India were unable to secure a draw or victory, handing Ben Stokes' men a 1-0 lead in the series.

India dominated the early exchanges, ending Day 1 at 359/3 and stretching it to 430/3 early on Day 2. At that stage, a score in excess of 600 looked certain, which could have taken a draw, if not a win, within reach. However, what followed was a double collapse—India lost momentum in both innings due to poor shot selection, soft dismissals, and England’s late resurgence.

The Indian bowlers, barring Jasprit Bumrah who claimed the match's only five-wicket haul, lacked bite. Their effort was further undermined by sloppy fielding, with as many as four catches dropped by Yashasvi Jaiswal alone. These lapses proved costly, allowing England to stay within striking distance and take control in the final two days.

Despite England’s own imperfections, including a less-than-ideal first innings, they held their nerve when it mattered. The match swung decisively in their favour thanks to smart batting and strategic bowling changes, making the most of Indian errors.

The Test also saw a number of records. Most notably, India became the first team to score five centuries in a losing cause in Test cricket—surpassing Australia’s 1928 record of four centuries in a defeat.

While the result is a blow, the resilience shown by Indian batters—particularly Rishabh Pant, who scored two centuries—offers some positives. But for Shubman Gill, the loss will sting as he looks to rebound and stabilize his leadership in the matches to come.