Meanwhile, in Galle, the fist Test of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh's 2025-27 WTC cycle has predictably ended in a draw. Taijul Islam's 3 wickets gave Bangladesh hopes of a collapse in the Lankan ranks but it wasn't to be. It was a match similar to the ones in the early 2000s, with the pitch as flat as a pancake. Bangladesh chose to bat and made 495 in their first innings, through centuries from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim while Litton Das chipped in with 90. In reply, Sri Lanka made 485 of their own, riding high on Pathum Nissanka's 187 and Kamindu Mendis' 87. Again, in the third innings, the visitors declared on a commanding 285/6, with another century from their skipper and a fine 76 from Shadman Islam. It was not a Test match for the bowlers as we saw only one five-wicket haul in the course of 5 days. Nayeem Hasan picked up a 5-fer in the second innings but overall, the bowlers had to work really hard to pick up wickets. Both sides would be equally tired ahead of the second Test, which is scheduled to begin from 25th June, 2025, so there is not a big gap.

'It has started to rain', quips Stuart Broad on air. Right behind him, we can see the hover cover being placed on the pitch. The main covers are not on yet, as it is just a light drizzle. But as per the rules of cricket, we cannot start unless the drizzle stops completely. It might be possible that the covers might come on as a precautionary measure because there is the forecast for thundershowers right around this time. So maybe, we might have a delayed start to the second session and could possibly wait till the band of rain passes by. But having said that, the conditions are likely to stay the same for a major portion of the day, so it might just be a day for the bowlers.

Stuart Broad is on air at the moment, we can actually see dark clouds forming in the background. While England will be happy seeing that, they don't want those conditions to stay on for long. Remember, there is someone called Jasprit Bumrah in the opposition who will just be wanting to get that Dukes ball in his hand. So the focus for the home side would be to not let the tail wag with Jadeja and keep India under 475. The visitors, on the other hand, might just come out after the break and go hard at the bowling, looking for some quick runs. Who knows, 500 might still be on.

And yes, we have not forgotten England either. They are just about hanging in there in this Test, thanks to that last half hour before Lunch. However, the bowling has looked ordinary, with the exception of Ben Stokes, who has been nothing short of phenomenal, and to some extent, Shoaib Bashir, who has made the ball talk. Chris Woakes has looked way below par while Brydon Carse needs more consistency. Clearly, this is not the bowling attack the hosts would have looked for at the start of the series, which does not have Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson or even Ollie Robinson. A part of the reason for the collapse is the overcast nature of the skies, which got the ball to move in the latter half of the opening session today.

Ah... no, we have not forgotten the skipper. In his very first Test as a skipper, that too, in overseas conditions, Shubman Gill displayed an innings full of character, with exemplary technique. Barely did we see any loose shot played and what was impressive was the way he handled the conditions. Took time to get set, then opened up after getting set. Then, when the ball was reversing on Day 1, he ensured that England did not get any opening and even this morning, did not just throw it away. Although he would not be happy with the way he got out and might be blaming himself for the collapse, it cannot take anything away from an incredible century and his highest Test score. Three centuries in the first innings of the new era is a dream come true for India.

Rishabh Rajendra Pant. This guy is special, isn't he? And how poor is our memory? Just around 3 weeks back, the fans were into Pant's skin, who was arguably having one of his worst IPL seasons ever. And captaincy duties seemed to be taking toll on him. However, change of ball, change of format, change of venue and change of clothing has changed his luck as he played one of his best Test innings ever. Of course, in terms of the match situation, cannot match his 97 against Australia in Sydney in 2021, or his 114 against England at The Oval in 2018 - but it was simply a remarkable knock, as he was coming in on the back of some really poor form. It was a typical Pant innings, charging out as early as the second ball, to get off the mark with a boundary and then, going into a shell. And then with a few minutes left for the close on Day 1, he opened up again. This morning too, he played mormal cricket for roughly an hour but the moment he got to the 90-mark, he just opened up totally. He was on 84 from 131 balls - in the next 46, hammered 50 runs. Got a life a few overs before he got dismissed, when Jamie Smith missed a simple stumping but could not make the most of his life. This guy is just 27, but he already has the most centuries in Tests by an Indian wicketkeeper and the most sixes by an Indian keeper as well. Just imagine, how far is he going to leave Adam Gilchrist behind, one of the greatest ever keepers, before retiring from the sport. Truly special.

This is the beauty of Test cricket. For nearly 90 minutes into the day, England looked lost, not at all consistent with their bowling, dishing out some pretty loose stuff. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant seemed pretty comfortable at the crease, with the latter going on the attack. Then, on a really innocuous delivery, Gill lost his wicket and all of a sudden, a collapse ensued, which also consumed Pant, who was arguably asked to slow down minutes before his dismissal.

What a manic half an hour. The session reads 95 runs for 4 wickets in 23.4 overs but let's look at it in isolation. The first 16.4 overs, India scored 71/0. The last 7 overs, England picked up 4/24! So whose session was it? Let's call it balanced though the hosts have got some momentum on their side.

Direct hit! England are confident, but so is Shardul Thakur that he has made his ground. Referred upstairs. Sure enough, one replay is enough to confirm that Shardul is well in.

It seems like we shall be playing till the clock strikes 1 pm at Headingley. Around 4 minutes left for Lunch, but Shardul Thakur is forced to walk out to bat, to play these last few minutes before the break, replacing Rishabh Pant.