India U19’s opening batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi continued his stunning run in the youth series against England U19 with yet another explosive innings in the fourth ODI at Worcester. The 14-year-old southpaw has been in terrific form throughout the series, and Saturday’s match saw him at his destructive best once again. Suryavanshi smashed a brilliant century off just 52 balls, including 10 fours and 7 sixes, leaving the England bowlers clueless.

After reaching the milestone, the young sensation celebrated with a fist pump, kissed his helmet, and soaked in the applause from the crowd. Suryavanshi made his aggressive intentions clear right from the start. Despite initially taking some time to settle into the conditions, he quickly shifted gears and launched into a breathtaking assault, targeting both seamers and spinners without discrimination.

The left-hander lost his opening partner, Ayush Mhatre, early in the fourth over but then stitched together a crucial stand with Vihaan Malhotra. While Vihaan played the supporting role, Suryavanshi unleashed a flurry of boundaries. During the commentary, one of the broadcasters exclaimed, “Vaibhav Suryavanshi is like Yuvraj Singh on steroids,” highlighting the level of dominance. Another added, “I don't think I have seen better ball-striking than this in England. This guy is a genius.”

Rising star continues to impress beyond U-19 cricket

Suryavanshi has been in excellent touch throughout the series, with previous scores of 48, 45, and 86 before his hundred in the fourth ODI. His knock helped India U19 secure a strong position in the five-match series, putting the visitors ahead 3–1. The youngster was also present earlier this week at Edgbaston to watch Day 2 of the second Test between India and England, witnessing Shubman Gill’s double century live.

See Also: [WATCH]: 'I only believe in myself and Jassi bhai' – Arshdeep Singh hails Mohammed Siraj's six-wicket haul in 2nd Test against England

The cricketing world first took note of Suryavanshi during the IPL 2025 season, where he played a sensational knock of 101 off 38 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. In that game, he took apart top Indian pacers like Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, and Prasidh Krishna. At just 13, he was picked in the IPL mega auction for ₹1.10 crore, becoming the youngest player to earn an IPL contract. Before the IPL, he had already impressed with a 58-ball century against Australia U19 and played a key role in India’s run to the Under-19 Asia Cup final in 2024.

In August 2024, Shikhar Dhawan officially announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, bringing to a close one of the most impactful careers by an opening batter in ODIs. Nicknamed 'Mr. ICC' for his consistent brilliance in global tournaments, Dhawan was the top scorer and Player of the Tournament during India’s victorious 2013 Champions Trophy campaign. He replicated his form in the 2015 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy, averaging an exceptional 65 in ICC events.

Across 167 ODIs, Dhawan amassed 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. His final outing in India colors came during the 2022 tour of Bangladesh, where he scored just 18 runs in three innings. That series also featured Ishan Kishan’s record-breaking double century—210 off 131 balls—which Dhawan revealed was a pivotal moment for him. “When Ishan Kishan scored that 200, my instinct told me, alright boy, this can be the end of your career. An inner voice came to me. And that’s what happened,” Dhawan told Hindustan Times.

In that particular game, Dhawan scored only 3 runs while India went on to win by 227 runs. Despite the personal setback, Dhawan shared that he was emotionally at peace. “Then I remember my friends came over to, you know, give me that emotional support. They thought that I would be very down. But I was chilling; I was enjoying it," he added, reflecting his typical calm and cheerful demeanor.

"We Are Used to It Since Under-14 Days": Dhawan on Being Dropped

Dhawan also addressed the silence from teammates after he was dropped from the Indian team, clarifying that such things are not unusual in the world of cricket. “No, it doesn’t happen that way (teammates messaging after someone being dropped). Maybe I spoke to Rahul (Dravid) bhai. He messaged me,” he said, when asked if any player had reached out after his exclusion.

See Also: Watch: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma spotted in London ahead of ENG vs IND 2nd Test

The 39-year-old veteran stressed that he wasn’t shocked by the development, having experienced selections and exclusions since his early playing days. “Everyone has their own journey, and they are doing work or they are on tours; that’s something very normal. We are used to it from the age of under 14; this is not the first time I am getting dropped or getting in,” Dhawan said calmly, summing up his journey with characteristic grace.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was full of praise for Shubman Gill after the Indian batter struck his seventh Test century on Day 1 of the ongoing match against England at Edgbaston. Gill, who came in at number four, held the innings together with an unbeaten 114 off 216 balls, including 12 boundaries. His composed effort helped India reach 310/5 at stumps, displaying patience and maturity in a crucial phase of the match.

“Shubman Gill has worked hard on his defense. When he last came to England, he played with hard hands, pushing at the ball a bit like Virat Kohli. But now, the top hand is in much more control. He allows the ball to come to him, trusts in his defense, and has all the shots in the book when he goes on the attack,” said Shastri during the Sky Sports broadcast. The century was Gill’s second in as many matches, following his 147 at Headingley last week as Test captain.

Ravi Shastri also highlighted the significance of the 99-run partnership between Gill and Ravindra Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 41. “I think India will be pretty happy with where they are at the end of day one. I think this partnership of 99 between Gill and Jadeja has gotten them out of what could've been a spot of bother. But they know they will need to get at least another 150 runs from here at least,” he added.

"All Eyes on India Tomorrow": Hussain Reflects on England's Missed Chance

Former England captain Nasser Hussain echoed Shastri’s thoughts, saying, “I think it'more about keepingep your eyes on India tomorrow than whaEngland cannd do. There's no way they should've lost 7-41 in that first innings on the second day and 6-31 in the second innings at Headingley.” Hemphasizeded that India muscapitalizese on this strong start and push their total to 450 and beyond.

See Also: ENG U19 vs IND U19, 3rd Youth ODI: Major highlights and key performances

Hussain also acknowledged the challenges faced by England’s bowlers on a flat pitch. “Before this 99-run partnership between Gill and Jadeja, they were ahead of thgame,me whereas they were never really ahead at Headingley,” he noted. “A tough day at the office, back-to-back bowling days for them and Carse limping off, but you can't fault the effort there of the bowlers.”

Pressure at the highest level of international cricket can either be a friend or a foe. For Shubman Gill, it is very definitely the latter. With the weight of Test captaincy on his young shoulders, Gill hasn’t just led  he’s flourished. And in scoring back-to-back Test centuries as captain, he’s sent a message loud and clear: he’s not just here to be a placeholder  he’s here to lead from the front. Calm at the crease, sharp in the field, Gill is shaping into the leader Indian cricket has been looking for.

His leadership has now drawn praise from one of India’s most iconic cricketers  Yuvraj Singh. In a heartfelt Instagram story, Yuvraj wrote, “When responsibility calls, some rise and some soar! Shubman just became one of the rare few to score consecutive hundreds as Test captain.” The praise wasn’t just casual; Yuvraj went on to compare Gill to South African legend Graeme Smith, a captain known for leading young and winning.The heat of that comparison demonstrates just how much faith cricketing greats have in Gill’s temper and talent.

Gill’s development as a player has always been thrilling to watch, but this step into leadership has been even more fun. At only 24 he is showing the kind of qualities  patience, game sense, composure  of great Test leaders. Doing it with a steady supply of runs does even more. These aren’t hundreds, they’re not just highway signs; they’re statements.
ALSO READ: OTD: Ravindra Jadeja's heroics earned India the 2013 Champions Trophy defeating England

A Cool Head, A Hot Bat, A Leader Is Born

Scan the crowd and your eyes will quickly fixate on Gill, who is not even trying to be the life of the party. What is striking about Gill, the true hero, is his understatedness, his colossal non-giantness. He leads quietly but firmly, his performances speak volumes. During a battle of attrition under a format that requires mental fortitude, his philosophy has been mature and aggressive.

As India look to the future, it’s already obvious that Shubman Gill is no mere batting prodigy. He’s becoming a dependable leader. With legends of the game like Yuvraj Singh publicly endorsing him, it sounds like this is only the start of something extraordinary.

Rishabh Pant once again stole the spotlight with his second century of the match on Day 4 of the first Test against England at Headingley, becoming only the second wicketkeeper-batter in Test history to score twin hundreds in a single match. His flamboyant batting style and crowd-pleasing persona had fans eagerly waiting for a repeat of his now-iconic somersault celebration from the first innings.

Even former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was among those anticipating the flip. However, after reaching his century, Pant instead gestured toward Gavaskar, possibly indicating “some time later” in response to the subtle request for a celebration. The moment went viral, showing Pant interacting with the legend from the field while the crowd watched with anticipation.

Speaking after the day’s play on Sony Sports Network, Gavaskar expressed his happiness over Pant’s success. “Very, very happy. I mean, anytime an Indian does well, you feel very happy... So to see this young kid come back, I mean, look what had happened to him with all those, with that crash,” he said, referencing Pant’s remarkable comeback from injury. Gavaskar also spoke about the emotional impact cricket has on Indian families and how performances like Pant’s bring joy to millions.

Gavaskar’s Humour and Vaughan’s Curiosity

After scoring his second century, Pant unveiled a new gesture, pointing toward his eye instead of doing a somersault. This prompted former England captain Michael Vaughan to ask, “Can you explain what that celebration is? I was waiting for that flip as well.” Gavaskar responded, “No, this is, I think, basically thanking the gods above. He had something on his eye. He kind of put us on the signal.”

Watch the video here

Sunil Gavaskar asking Rishabh Pant to do Summersault celebration to which he replied next time for sure 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/mzCbugYDfT

— RP17 Gang™ (@RP17Gang) June 23, 2025

See Also: [WATCH] "Aise Yeh Zaroori Nahi Hai!": Rishabh Pant criticizes himself for reckless shot on Day 4 in ENG vs IND first Test

In a light-hearted moment, Gavaskar also shared a personal anecdote. “You know what, I've got to confess that after that I came here, and I tried not to do the backflip—no chance... but I used to do the backstand,” he said. “So if I could have done it successfully then, then I would have shown it here, but I wasn't able to.” Pant’s 118-run knock, combined with KL Rahul’s 137, helped India post 364 in their second innings, setting England a target of 371. At stumps, the hosts were 21/0, with Crawley and Duckett unbeaten on 12 and 9.

On a day when India required a fighting knock, Rishabh Pant delivered in typical fashion, bringing up a scintillating second innings century in England at Headingley. Coming in with India under pressure after early wickets had pegged them back, Pant opted for aggression, over caution, playing his carefree strokeplay that kept the bowlers under pressure. His hundred was well-timed, providing India with a buffer which they found invaluable and also turning the tide back in their favour on a difficult pitch.

Pant was aggressive as ever against spinners, charging fast bowlers and nudging it around smartly. He grew confident, though he lost batsmen at the other end across his hundreds, and when required, upped the gears to the boundary with a crack through point that raised the crowd to their feet. Commentator Vivek Razdan, on air during the moment, praised Pant’s innings as a masterclass in counter-attacking Test batting, calling it exactly what India needed to stay alive in the match.

This knock will go down as one of Pant’s finest under pressure. With India aiming to set a fighting target for England, his aggressive batting has not only frustrated the English attack but also inspired the rest of the lower order to fight on. Fans and pundits alike hailed Pant’s innings as proof of why he is considered India’s ultimate game-changer in the longest format.

Watch video:

COMMENTARY BY VIVEK RAZDAN WHEN PANT COMPLETED HUNDRED 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Y8Bs8HWchE

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 23, 2025

ALSO SEE: MLC 2025, Match 14: NY vs SF Dream11 Top Captain And Vice-captain Choices

Vivek Razdan Applauds Pant’s Fearless Century

As soon as Pant reached his hundred, Vivek Razdan summed it up perfectly in the commentary box, calling it a blend of bravery and smart shot selection. He highlighted how Pant’s positive mindset turned the match around and lauded him for putting the team’s needs first, even when the situation demanded caution.

With this century, Pant has once again shown why he’s such an invaluable asset to India’s Test side. His ability to absorb pressure and then dominate bowlers has given India a real chance to push for a result, despite being on the back foot earlier in the game. All eyes will now be on how the bowlers back up Pant’s brilliance in the final innings.

KL Rahul Steps Up Big Time with a Gritty Century at Headingley

KL Rahul didn’t have the best start to the Headingley Test. In the first innings, after settling in, he played a loose shot and got out for 42 something he would’ve regretted. But in the second innings, he came back determined to make up for it.

Rahul looked calm and focused right from the start. On Day 4, he brought up his ninth Test century his first in almost a year and a half. He reached the milestone off Shoaib Bashir’s bowling in the 62nd over, taking 202 balls to get there. It wasn’t flashy it was solid, patient, and full of class.

This was Rahul’s third Test hundred in England, and he’s now the only Indian opener to have scored three centuries in the UK. His average in England is now close to 40 proof of how well he handles tough conditions.

Rahul’s innings stood out because of his solid technique. While others struggled, he stayed strong. When he got to his hundred, he removed his helmet and took in the applause from the Headingley crowd. India’s captain Shubman Gill also smiled proudly and clapped from the dressing room. On commentary, Nasser Hussain said, “High-class stuff from a high-class player.” Michael Atherton added, “A beautiful cover drive what a way to reach a hundred.”

Earlier, Rahul had walked in after Yashasvi Jaiswal got out cheaply. He built a steady stand with Sai Sudharsan, making sure India didn’t lose too many wickets early. After Gill was dismissed on Day 4, Rahul and Pant had to fight through a tough spell. England bowled tight lines, but both batters didn’t give in. After a tough first hour, Rahul started to play more freely. He did get a bit of luck when Harry Brook dropped him in the slips, but he made it count. By the second session, he and Pant had taken full control.

Thanks to their partnership, India now has a lead of over 200 runs and is in a strong position in this Test. The pitch hasn’t worn out much, and India will now aim to set a target of over 400 for England. With Rohit Sharma retired and Virat Kohli not around, someone had to take charge. KL Rahul did just that with heart, skill, and a whole lot of patience.

ALSO READ: Watch: Sanjana Ganesan urges Jasprit Bumrah to stay for entire England test series

Twitter reactions after  KL Rahul Steps Up with a Calm and Classy Hundred

IM DELETING YOU Rahul

15% complete...

30%complete...

60% complete...

99% complete...

🚫🚫ERROR🚫🚫
Rahul IS IRREPLACEABLE
I could never delete you KL
If KL poops, I flush If KL sneezes, I bless him
If KL farts l inhale
When KL points I look
When KL commands I obey pic.twitter.com/xou9t65tVk

— naym (@77Abdddd) June 23, 2025

KL Rahul is so lucky.
Scored century after a dropped catch. pic.twitter.com/bU7rD1wEuU

— Crazy Cricket Memes (@CrazyCricMemes) June 23, 2025

KL rahul hugging a delhi boy after test century is permanent 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/eMOkPndGhf

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) June 23, 2025

Class KL Rahul | Naam to suna hi hoga

8th test century out of 9 are away from home🔥

KL Rahul's centuries away from home in Tests:

Century at Sydney, 2015
Century at Colombo, 2015
Century at Kingston, 2016
Century at The Oval, 2018
Century at Lord’s, 2021
Century at… pic.twitter.com/EoieAqeTFL

— Adhirajsinh Jadeja AJ 🇮🇳 (@AdhirajHJadeja) June 23, 2025

Intl Centuries by 𝗞𝗟 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗹

In India - 4
Outisde India - 14*

Overseas Monster🥶🐐#KLRahul #INDVENG pic.twitter.com/YcAKFZwIsj

— BEAST (@BEASTKLR) June 23, 2025

KL Rahul's centuries outside home in Tests:

Century at Sydney, 2015
Century at Colombo, 2015
Century at Kingston, 2016
Century at The Oval, 2018
Century at Lord’s, 2021
Century at Centurion, 2021
Century at Centurion, 2023
Century in Leeds, 2025 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/eXPFpjBQVx

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 23, 2025

A much-deserved century by KL Rahul
He looks very comfortable
pic.twitter.com/wQSxKqONm9

— Lucifer (@LuciferCric) June 23, 2025

𝑪𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑼𝑹𝒀 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑲𝑳 𝑹𝑨𝑯𝑼𝑳! 💯

9th Test century for KL Rahul, and 4th against England. His last Test ton came in 2023. pic.twitter.com/IpNVjdQ08C

— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) June 23, 2025

India's vice-captain Rishabh Pant lit up Headingley on Day 2 of the 1st Test against England with a stunning century, celebrating it with his now-infamous acrobatic celebration. Pant got to his 7th Test hundred in classic style, scoring 100 off 146 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and 4 big sixes. As soon as he hit the milestone, he thrilled fans by pulling off a clean backflip—his signature move.

This is not the first time Pant has showcased this athletic celebration. Earlier this year during the IPL, the Lucknow Super Giants skipper had celebrated in the same fashion after reaching a century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His repeated use of the somersault move has now become a part of his special cricketing persona, winning praise from fans as well as fellow cricketers.

Notably, this was Pant’s 3rd Test century on English soil, solidifying his reputation as a formidable batter in overseas conditions. But beyond the numbers, this celebration was also more symbolic than anything else. It was a moment of happiness for fans of cricket who had been eagerly waiting for Pant's return to form following a near-fatal road accident in December 2022.

A Comeback to Remember

Pant’s journey back to cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. He had suffered multiple injuries when his car collided with a road divider on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. Traveling to his hometown of Roorkee, Pant was initially taken to a nearby hospital before being shifted to Dehradun. He had sustained serious injuries to his head, back, and feet, and his career hung in the balance.

Watch the video here

ONE OF THE GREATEST CELEBRATION IN CRICKET - PANT 🥶 pic.twitter.com/WwGqii9wFc

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 21, 2025

See Also: Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal opens up to Dhruv Jurel after smashing maiden Test century in England

Ahead of the England series, Pant had opened up about the emotional and physical toll the recovery took on him. “Coming forward, the last two years have been tough coming back from the (car) accident, but at the same time I want to be an individual who is learning each and every day. See, for me, after my accident, just being on the ground and making people believe that I can come back and the kind of love they have shown me, it’s always going to be special for me,” he had said.

After India’s dominant opening day at Headingley, the BCCI offered fans a special behind-the-scenes moment with a candid conversation between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. The centurion was visibly relaxed as Jurel warmly congratulated him on yet another hundred on foreign soil. Pointing out Jaiswal's consistency, Jurel said, “You played your first Test in the West Indies—got a hundred. First Test in Australia—hundred. Now, the first Test in England—hundred, where batting is the hardest. What’s your mindset?”

In true humble fashion, Jaiswal stated that he's driven by one simple, yet very strong desire: to serve the team and make his country proud. “Whenever I come here, I just want to give my best for my team and my country. I really enjoy practicing alone and preparing myself. I try to make sure every ball I face in practice helps me when I’m in tough situations. You know this too, that there are so many moments when we’re under pressure," he said. Sharing a recent example, Jaiswal recalled an intra-squad match where he faced a tough spell from Harshit Rana and Bumrah, saying, “I wasn’t scoring runs easily, but I kept playing. That gave me a lot of confidence and belief that I can survive and get through tough phases.”

Jurel then took the conversation deeper by reminiscing about their India A days. “You told me you just have to score runs in England no matter what. Even when the ball was moving a lot, you wanted the same challenge in the nets. I think that stubbornness is what makes you different. I’ve seen it since we were kids,” he said with admiration. Curious about Jaiswal off the field, Jurel asked him to share more. Laughing, Jaiswal tried to dodge it with a “You tell them!” but eventually opened up, “I don’t do much. When I need to be serious, I stay serious. I focus on my preparation and try to keep my mind calm. That really helps me.”

Watch the video here

Confidence. Patience. Belief 💯

Centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal speaks to Dhruv Jurel after scoring his 1st Test Hundred in England 🙌

WATCH 🎥 🔽 #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @ybj_19 | @dhruvjurel21

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 21, 2025

See Also: RJ Mahvash hits back at trolls who claim Yuzvendra Chahal is responsible for her career success.

Jaiswal’s Clarity, Grit, and Love for Pressure Situations

This heartfelt conversation showed fans exactly what sets Jaiswal apart an ingrained work ethic, a desire for self-improvement, and a love for pressure. His solitary practice and his dedication to mental calmness are providing him the mental fortitude and composure to take on every new challenge.

From the Caribbean to Australia to England, Jaiswal's desire to perform remains unwavering. As his century at Headingley demonstrated once again, it is not just ability on the field but mindset that has propelled his journey.

Shubman Gill made history on Friday, June 20, by scoring a century in his very first Test match as captain. Batting at No. 4, the 25-year-old reached his hundred during the third session on Day 1 against England at Headingley in Leeds.

Gill was named India’s 37th Test captain on May 24, 2025, when the selectors announced the team for the five-match Test series. Just weeks later, he walked out to lead the team and made his mark right away with the bat.

With this century, Gill became only the fifth Indian to score a hundred in his first Test as captain. He now joins a special list that includes Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli.

ALSO READ: OTD: Sri Lanka met with Pakistan in WC Final after terror attack at Lahore stadium

Twitter reactions after Shubman Gill scores century

They mocked his voice, trolled his masculinity, drew unfair comparisons with past legends. But Shubman Gill responded like a river carving through stone...A captain’s hundred on debut; a century that didn’t raise its voice, but raised the bar... pic.twitter.com/z1s0CsAouc

— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek) June 20, 2025

Massively trolled for his captaincy, SR, average, looks, even his voice — but he responded in style:

Fastest fifty in Tests ✅
Century on captaincy debut ✅

Shubman Gill is here to stay 🔥✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/NFRAflgBdM

— A. (@perthelegance) June 20, 2025

Phones buzzing with hate. Noise from his own people. Doubts echoing from every corner of the world. And in the middle of all that Shubman Gill walks out as captain, silent, calm, and hits a gritty hundred. What a start bro! and this is just a start. “Time nai Daur aau” pic.twitter.com/U0Mj3KRTE4

— Jahazi (@Oye_Jahazi) June 20, 2025

Shubman gill scores brilliant 100 on captaincy debut 🔥❤️

Let's be honest he was under huge pressure from his own fans and experts. pic.twitter.com/4jNvMcDbxo

— सक्षम¹⁸( Dean Winchester ka parivar) (@sak23garg) June 20, 2025

Shubman Gill was getting continuous hate from day 1 since he was announced Indian Test Captain and now smoked his haters with century on his Captaincy Debut🙌

Take a Bow, Shubman Gill 👑 pic.twitter.com/qmSKgtlHty

— कट्टर INDIA समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) June 20, 2025

No words can explain how happy I am right now. Defended him from all the unnecessary trolling for the past two months, and now he scores a century in the very first match. Shubman Gill, I love you so much. pic.twitter.com/z0awB5Kijl

— 👑 (@SG77Era) June 20, 2025

This should be seen as a landmark century in Shubman Gill’s career.

HE needed it.
His TEAM needed it.
His CAPTAINCY needed it.

This knock has the potential for a lot of wide ranging positive influences on his career! #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/VFcTTf1Eqg

— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) June 20, 2025

Criticised as a captain, doubted as a batter, but Shubman Gill has answered it all with a century! What a statement on captaincy debut.

Well done, Gill. Massive congratulations! pic.twitter.com/0spXzEbkUO

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) June 20, 2025