The first day of the ongoing Test match between India and England at Headingley belonged firmly to the visitors, with India ending the day in a commanding position. While centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill grabbed headlines, it was Rishabh Pant's fearless and unbeaten knock of 65 that truly captured the imagination, drawing a special gesture of admiration from teammate KL Rahul.

As Pant walked back to the dressing room after the day's play, KL Rahul was seen folding his hands and bowing in mock reverence towards the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman. This act, captured on video and widely shared on social media, was a blend of admiration and playful banter, acknowledging the audacity and impact of Pant's innings.

Pant's innings was characterized by his trademark aggressive approach. Coming in with a solid foundation already laid by the top order, he didn't hold back, displaying both control and intent. He refused to let the pressure of the situation dictate his game, and his aggressive mindset paid dividends. The highlight of his innings was a spectacular six off Chris Woakes in the final over of the day, a shot that epitomized his fearless approach. Dancing down the track to a length delivery, Pant dispatched the ball cleanly over deep square leg, leaving Woakes and England captain Ben Stokes in stunned amusement.

This wasn't reckless hitting, but a calculated risk taken at the opportune moment. Pant's ability to pick the right moment to unleash his attacking shots is what makes him such a dangerous player. His unbeaten 65, which included two sixes and seven fours, came off just 91 balls, providing a crucial burst of energy and shifting the momentum further in India's favor.

Rahul himself had earlier contributed a valuable 42 at the top of the order, forming a 91-run opening partnership with Jaiswal. While he may have missed out on a half-century, his solid start was crucial in setting the platform for the rest of the innings. Jaiswal continued his impressive form, notching up his fifth Test century, while Gill, leading the team in his first Test as captain, remained unbeaten on 127, demonstrating both his batting prowess and leadership qualities.

The unbroken 138-run stand between Gill and Pant further consolidated India's strong position, showcasing the team's depth of talent in the absence of retired stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The day belonged to India, with the batsmen taking full advantage of the batting-friendly conditions. England's bowling coach Tim Southee acknowledged the toughness of the day, admitting that Jaiswal and Pant had played "class" innings.