Gill’s century propels India to a strong position against England

SHUBMAN Gill led from the front once more with a second hundred in as many matches as India captain to keep England at bay at Edgbaston yesterday.

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Gill's 114 not out was the cornerstone of India's 310/5 at stumps on the first day of the second Test, with Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing a typically entertaining 87.

India lost two wickets in quick succession to be 211/5 but all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (41 not out) helped Gill avoid a further collapse in an unbroken stand of 99.

Gill, however, knows better than anyone that individual milestones are no guarantee of team success.

In the first Test at Headingley, India posted five individual hundreds, including Gill's 147, and still lost - the first time this had happened in more than 60,000 games of first-class cricket.

Batting collapses cost India dear before England, making light of a seemingly stiff target of 371, won by five wickets to go 1-0 up in a five-match series.

England captain Ben Stokes, as he did in Leeds, again opted to field after winning the toss, with England having achieved their all-time record fourth innings victory chase of 378 at Edgbaston, against India three years ago.