Shubman Gill’s Indian side were unexpectedly awarded five penalty runs on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley, after a rare on-field mishap left the hosts stunned and fans buzzing. The moment unfolded when a shot from Yashasvi Jaiswal ricocheted off Harry Brook and hit the helmet placed on the ground behind wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, invoking a rarely-seen law in Test cricket.

The incident occurred in the 51st over, bowled by England captain Ben Stokes. Jaiswal edged the delivery, and although it didn’t carry cleanly to second slip, Harry Brook’s effort to stop it inadvertently deflected the ball into the helmet lying behind the keeper. Immediately, the umpires halted play as Joe Root looked on in disbelief.

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After a brief discussion between on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel, it was determined that no runs were taken by the batters, but five penalty runs would be awarded to India, in accordance with MCC Law 28.3.3. This law states that if the ball in play touches a helmet on the ground, the batting side is automatically awarded five runs and the ball becomes dead.

Nothing is going England’s way! 😬

A throw deflects and hits the keeper’s helmet — resulting in five penalty runs awarded to Team India! 🧤🏏

Lucky runs, but they all count! 🇮🇳#BenStokes #ENGvIND #Tests #Leeds pic.twitter.com/bTtPujjOcD

— Root Jaiswal (@JaiswalRoot) June 20, 2025

The moment summed up England’s frustration on a day when little went their way. Choosing to bowl first on a docile Headingley pitch already looked questionable, and it only got worse as India’s openers made full use of the conditions. Jaiswal, showing maturity beyond his years, smashed a sublime century, while skipper Shubman Gill played with elegance en route to a well-compiled fifty.

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At tea, India were firmly in control at 215/2, with England’s bowlers struggling for penetration and Stokes left to wonder if his decision to field first had backfired spectacularly.

Jaiswal, who had recently been found out outside off stump during India A’s tour, looked a different beast in Leeds. The 2024 tormentor of England seems to have picked up right where he left off.