Rishabh Pant is often known for lighting up the field with audacious strokes and stump-mic antics. But on Day 1 of the first India-England Test at Headingley, Pant flipped the script, offering restraint instead of risk and advice, not adrenaline.
In a moment that caught both viewers and stump mics off guard, vice captain Pant was heard cautioning skipper Shubman Gill late in the final session as India looked to consolidate a strong position against an inexperienced English attack.
Gill, batting fluently on the back of his first century as Test captain, had just advanced down the pitch to loft debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir, but drilled it straight to short cover. From the non-striker’s end, Pant immediately stepped in with a clear message.
“Niche hi reh nikal raha hai toh. Ye aa jaata, uth gaya,” Pant told Gill. (Translation: “Keep it down if you’re stepping out. That one rose a bit, could’ve been caught.”)
It was a rare role reversal. For a player more known for aggressive counter-punching than cautioning teammates, Pant’s message stood out. Ironically, the left-hander would later end the day with a trademark six, skipping out to Chris Woakes and launching one over deep square leg to remain unbeaten on 65.
Ind vs Eng: Captain Gill leads from the front
Earlier in the day, Shubman Gill marked his captaincy debut in ideal fashion, anchoring India’s innings with a polished, unbeaten 127. His knock came after a century from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), with the duo sharing a 129-run partnership that blunted England’s new-ball burst and laid a solid platform.
Gill and Pant’s unbroken 138-run stand for the fourth wicket took India to a commanding 359/3 at stumps, ending Day 1 firmly on top.
KL Rahul had earlier contributed 42 in a 92-run opening stand with Jaiswal, setting the tone on a greenish but true Headingley surface. India handed a debut to Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan, who was dismissed for a four-ball duck.
England vs India: England’s bowlers struggle for control
Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first on a lively track backfired, as England’s bowling lacked discipline and penetration. Shoaib Bashir, in only his second Test, and Brydon Carse were expensive, while Chris Woakes went wicketless.
Stokes did pick up two wickets himself but was unable to maintain pressure in the absence of senior pacers like James Anderson and Mark Wood. With India’s top order dominating and no swing or spin threat materialising, England were left chasing answers.
India vs England: Youth at the helm for India
The day belonged to India’s next generation: Gill, Jaiswal, and Pant—all under 27—led from the front, batting with maturity and authority. While Jaiswal continued to impress with yet another hundred, it was Gill's calm leadership and Pant's timely aggression (with a touch of mentoring) that defined India’s strong start to the five-Test series.
With the pitch easing out and India already past 350, the visitors will look to press for a 500-plus total on Day 2 and bat England out of the contest.
In a moment that caught both viewers and stump mics off guard, vice captain Pant was heard cautioning skipper Shubman Gill late in the final session as India looked to consolidate a strong position against an inexperienced English attack.
Gill, batting fluently on the back of his first century as Test captain, had just advanced down the pitch to loft debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir, but drilled it straight to short cover. From the non-striker’s end, Pant immediately stepped in with a clear message.
“Niche hi reh nikal raha hai toh. Ye aa jaata, uth gaya,” Pant told Gill. (Translation: “Keep it down if you’re stepping out. That one rose a bit, could’ve been caught.”)
Warning: When @RishabhPant17's on strike, expect some advice and plenty of chatter between the wickets! 😜🎙️
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 20, 2025
Watch now 👉 https://t.co/PXeXAKeYoj #ENGvIND | 1st Test | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/v53iqPg8cm
It was a rare role reversal. For a player more known for aggressive counter-punching than cautioning teammates, Pant’s message stood out. Ironically, the left-hander would later end the day with a trademark six, skipping out to Chris Woakes and launching one over deep square leg to remain unbeaten on 65.
Ind vs Eng: Captain Gill leads from the front
Earlier in the day, Shubman Gill marked his captaincy debut in ideal fashion, anchoring India’s innings with a polished, unbeaten 127. His knock came after a century from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), with the duo sharing a 129-run partnership that blunted England’s new-ball burst and laid a solid platform.
Gill and Pant’s unbroken 138-run stand for the fourth wicket took India to a commanding 359/3 at stumps, ending Day 1 firmly on top.
KL Rahul had earlier contributed 42 in a 92-run opening stand with Jaiswal, setting the tone on a greenish but true Headingley surface. India handed a debut to Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan, who was dismissed for a four-ball duck.
England vs India: England’s bowlers struggle for control
Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first on a lively track backfired, as England’s bowling lacked discipline and penetration. Shoaib Bashir, in only his second Test, and Brydon Carse were expensive, while Chris Woakes went wicketless.
Stokes did pick up two wickets himself but was unable to maintain pressure in the absence of senior pacers like James Anderson and Mark Wood. With India’s top order dominating and no swing or spin threat materialising, England were left chasing answers.
India vs England: Youth at the helm for India
The day belonged to India’s next generation: Gill, Jaiswal, and Pant—all under 27—led from the front, batting with maturity and authority. While Jaiswal continued to impress with yet another hundred, it was Gill's calm leadership and Pant's timely aggression (with a touch of mentoring) that defined India’s strong start to the five-Test series.
With the pitch easing out and India already past 350, the visitors will look to press for a 500-plus total on Day 2 and bat England out of the contest.
You may also like
PIP assessment checks that will not change in DWP welfare shake up
POLL: Should Prince Harry wish Prince William a happy birthday
I wore a £12 peel-off lip stain to Ascot and it stayed put for ten hours
We need to protect our ancient yoga heritage: Union Minister Joshi
"Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand to be held in two phases on July 10 and 15": State Election Commissioner
