While England’s captain Ben Stokes consciously evaded pre-series talk of the Ashes, he believes has historically overwhelmed English Cricket- the opening day of the five- Test series against India here in Leeds has clearly shifted the focus, and perhaps the balance of power, in international cricket.
Despite early struggles for the hosts, India’s youthful depending, seemingly unfazed by the absence of loyalists like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandra Ashwin, delivered a commanding performance, attending notice that their future is not just arriving, it’s already here.
At the forefront of this new Indian wave is the sensational 23-year old opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal. A cricketer whose journey from living in a grounds man’s tent to International stardom has been well-documented Jaiswal proved a relentless tormentor for the English attack. His 712 runs in India’s 4-1 home series triumph last year had already left an indelible mark, even contributing to the early retirement of veteran pacer James Anderson. 20th June, Jaiswal showcased a different facet of his game, crafting an elegant 101 runs off 159 balls- a testament to his evolving maturity and drawing high praise from cricketing luminaries.
Jaiswal, a proven IPL superstar, displayed remarkable composure, initially settling in before unleashing an aggressive onslaught, particularly through the off-side. His century marks a rare achievement, having now scored hundreds in his Test debut and his first innings in both Australia and England – two crucial proving grounds for Indian batsmen. With a staggering 1,899 runs from just 20 Tests, Jaiswal has surpassed every other Indian cricketer at this stage of their career. The pre-series anxieties surrounding how India would compensate for the prolific Kohli now appear entirely moot, as Jaiswal already boasts 15 scores of 50 or more, four more than Kohli at the same career juncture, and significantly more than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s eight.
However, Jaiswal was not the only young Indian star to shine. Shubman Gill’s century, while perhaps less boisterous in celebration, resonated with deep emotional significance. Groomed for this role since his teenage years, the former U19 World Cup Player of the Tournament and IPL debutant at 18 timed an exquisite shot through the covers to register his maiden Test century outside Asia. Gill, with his calm demeanor and exceptional talent, appears to be the quintessential leader for India’s next chapter.
Unlike previous captains who emerged before the IPL boom, Gill’s upbringing within the high-pressure, fast-paced league seems to lend him an unparalleled composure, making Test matches appear almost casual.
Crucially, Gill’s ascent does not signal a diminished respect for Test cricket. Much like Kohli, who championed the longest format throughout his career, Gill has passionately stated that winning this series would hold more significance than any IPL accolade – a sentiment underscored by his emotional celebration. While sharing Kohli’s elegant cover drive and rigorous fitness routine, Gill also exhibits distinct differences. His relaxed on-field appearance, complete with mismatched socks, and his jocular interactions with the media contrast sharply with Kohli’s meticulously presented persona.
Gill’s serene approach was evident in his first innings as captain, where his remarkably low false shot percentage contributed to India’s most composed innings in England since 2006.
While it is undeniably premature to draw sweeping conclusions from a single day’s play, and acknowledging that England’s bowling attack was hampered by injuries, the performance on day one definitively dispels any lingering doubts about India’s future after the retirements of Kohli and Rohit.
A new generation of IPL stars, with the formidable Jasprit Bumrah still to bowl and Rishabh Pant yet to make a significant appearance, are poised to achieve what even their celebrated predecessors could not: a Test series victory on English soil. England was forewarned, and the opening day of the series served as an emphatic confirmation: India’s next chapter has already begun.
