WATCH: KL Rahul hilariously folds hands in front of Rishabh Pant at end of day one in Leeds

The Indian cricket team ended the first day of the opening Test in Leeds in a strong position. Shubman Gill was batting on 127 with vice-captain Rishabh Pant keeping him company on 65. Team India batted 85 overs and scored 358 for the loss of three wickets to take the honours on the opening day of the five-match series. Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill were given a rousing reception once they were on their way to the dressing room. 

KL Rahul is bowing down with both hands to Rishabh Pant 😂😝

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Opener KL Rahul hilariously was seen bowing with folded hands as soon as Pant made his way to the dressing room at the end of the day. Each and every member of the Indian side was seen applauding the duo as they batted sensibly. The duo mixed caution with aggression as India maintained their run rate at over four runs per over. 

Ben Stokes decided to bowl first after winning the toss on the opening day of the game. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal added 91 runs for the opening wicket just before lunch. Just before the break, Brydon Carse struck first when he had Rahul caught in the slips by Joe Root for 42. Sai Sudharsan was out for a duck when he was caught by Jamie Smith to give Ben Stokes his first wicket of the day. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill centuries drive India forward

Team India came out to bat in the second session with the score reading 92 for two. Shubman Gill, making his captaincy debut, came out with a positive mindset and began to attack the bowlers right from the word go. Jaiswal and Gill added 129 runs for the third wicket in 161 balls. Jaiswal reached his 50 off 96 balls and took just 48 balls to reach his second fifty and complete his century. 

The left-handed batter was seen struggling with cramps in his hand before the tea intervals. Ben Stokes then went past Jaiswal’s bat and castled the Indian opener for 101 off 159 balls with 16 boundaries and a six. Rishabh Pant charged down the track to hit the ball straight over Stokes’ head. 

Indian batters seemed to have settled down as the runs seem to trickle down to a slow pace. Shubman Gill posted his fastest Test fifty, which came off 56 balls and took another 84 balls to reach his tonne with a splendid drive for a boundary. Once the milestone was reached, India’s new Test captain removed his helmet and celebrated with glee. Pant decided to step on the gas and scored his fifty off 91 balls with five boundaries and a six.