Rishabh Pant's magnificent century propelled India to a formidable first-innings total of 471 against England in the first Test at Headingley. On Day 2, Pant reached his seventh Test century in a remarkable fashion, overshadowing MS Dhoni's record as the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test tons. His innings, studded with aggressive strokes and innovative shot-making, underscored his importance to the Indian batting lineup.
India resumed their innings on Day 2 at a commanding 359/3, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant looking to build on their overnight partnership. Gill, who was making his debut as India's Test captain, had already reached a century, and Pant was well-set on 65. The pair continued to dominate the English bowlers, adding quick runs and frustrating the opposition. Pant reached his century with a massive six off Shoaib Bashir, bringing up the milestone in just 146 balls. His celebration, a somersault, mirrored a similar celebration from the recent IPL season, showcasing his infectious energy and confidence.
However, England mounted a comeback, taking seven Indian wickets for just 41 runs after Gill's dismissal. Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes led the charge, claiming four wickets each and exploiting the overcast conditions to their advantage. Despite the flurry of wickets, India managed to reach 471, a total that could potentially put them in a strong position in the match.
India's innings was a mix of resilience and aggression. Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone on Day 1 with a fluent century, while Gill contributed a masterful 147 on his captaincy debut. Pant's explosive innings further solidified India's dominance, as he struck 12 fours and 6 sixes during his stay at the crease. His century was not only a personal achievement but also a record-breaking one, surpassing MS Dhoni's tally of six Test centuries as a wicketkeeper.
This innings marks India's highest first-innings total in an away Test since their 622/7 declared against Australia in Sydney in 2019. When it comes to first innings scores in England, this is their highest since scoring 664 at the Oval in 2007.
While a score of 471 is a great effort, it doesn’t guarantee a win. There have been instances where teams have scored high in the first innings but still lost the match. Here's a look at some of India's highest first innings totals in England:
As play continues, India will aim to leverage this total to put pressure on England and secure a favorable result in the first Test.
