Author: Akshay Published Date: 22 June 2025
Day 2: A Rollercoaster at Headingley
India’s young stars shone bright, but England refused to buckle. After piling up 471 thanks to three scintillating centuries, India watched as England clawed back to 209/3 by stumps – Ollie Pope’s unbeaten 100 leading a defiant reply.
🏏 Session Snapshots
Morning: India dominate (471 all out)
Afternoon: England strike back (7/41 collapse)
Evening: Pope’s century steadies ship (209/3)
India’s Batting Masterclass
Yashasvi Jaiswal (101)
The opener anchored Day 1 with flair, becoming the first Asian to score a Headingley Test century. His crisp drives defied England’s early swing.
Shubman Gill (127)
The captain delivered a statement innings: composed, authoritative, and packed with textbook cover drives. His first overseas ton as skipper set the tone.
Rishabh Pant (134)
A whirlwind century – the first Indian keeper with three Test tons in England. His celebratory cartwheel captured the euphoria after he demolished England’s attack.
💥 Record Alert: Only Test innings ever with three 100s where the team scored <500.
England’s Stunning Fightback
The Collapse Triggered
From 430/3, India imploded:
- Josh Tongue (4/86) ripped through the lower order
- 7 wickets for 41 runs in 14.3 overs
- Jadeja, Ashwin, and Bumrah fell cheaply
Pope’s Redemption Arc
Promoted to No. 3, Pope answered critics with a gutsy **100* off 131 balls**:
- Countered Bumrah’s searing spell
- Punished with a width behind a square
- Partnered with Duckett (62) in a 112-run stand
Key Dismissals
- Bumrah removed Crawley (8) and Duckett (62)
- Kuldeep trapped Root (28) LBW late
Turning Points
| Moment | Impact |
|---|---|
| Tongue’s 4-wicket burst | Exposed India’s tail vulnerability |
| Pope’s century | Shifted momentum to England |
| Pant’s dropped catch | Allowed his century (on 89) |
Bowling Spotlight
India
- Bumrah (3/48): Lethal but plagued by no-balls
- Kuldeep (0/42): Contained without breakthroughs
England
- Tongue (4/86): Revived hopes with reverse swing
- Stokes (1/72): Broke the Pant-Gill partnership
Match Status: England’s Uphill Battle
- India: 471 all out
- England: 209/3 (Trail by 262)
Day 3 Focus
- Can Pope convert 100* into 150+?
- Will Bairstow (15*) attack spin?
- India’s new-ball strategy at 80 overs
Why This Test Matters
For India:
Proved batting depth sans Kohli/Rohit. Gill’s captaincy credentials strengthened.
For England:
Pope’s resurgence could define their summer. Stokes’ aggressive captaincy is tested.
India’s triple-century feast threatened to bury England, but Tongue’s fiery spell and Pope’s unbeaten ton flipped the script. With two days left and the pitch still true, this Test hangs in the balance – a classic Headingley contest unfolding.
🔥 Player to Watch: Ravindra Jadeja. His spin could decide Day 3 as the ball softens.