Day 2 of the first Test between England and India at Headingley had a bit of everything.
Rishabh Pant lit up the morning with a hundred. But just when India looked set to post a total in excess of 600, the innings collapsed in dramatic fashion. From 430 for 3, India lost seven wickets for just 41 runs, folding for 471. It was a missed opportunity for India as they failed to capitalise on Pant and Shubman Gill’s centuries.
In reply, England lost Zak Crawley in the first over, undone by Jasprit Bumrah. But Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett steadied the innings with a 122-run partnership. Even after Duckett and Joe Root fell post-tea, Pope guided England safely to stumps, closing out a day at 209/3.
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Ollie Pope Scores a Century as England Stay on Course
Bumrah struck early in the final session of Day 2, removing Duckett in the 29th over with a delivery that resulted in an inside-edge and shattered the stumps. It was the reward India needed after Duckett had looked assured for most of his stay. The breakthrough lifted the energy on the field, and for a brief moment, India sensed an opening.
Bumrah became the highest wicket-keeper among Asians in Test cricket in SENA countries. He surpassed Wasim Akram’s tally of 146 wickets.
England responded with composure on a pitch that was not doing much. Pope, already well set, was joined by Root, and the pair settled in quickly. Pope offered a chance on 60 when Yashasvi Jaiswal shelled a straightforward catch at slip, the second drop off Bumrah’s bowling in the day. This stung India as Pope continued to accumulate runs with utmost ease and scored his ninth Test century.
Root, meanwhile, played himself in quietly, nudging singles and rotating the strike. He was adjudged LBW off Mohammed Siraj’s bowling but the decision had to be overturned as the ball was found to be missing the leg stump. Eventually, he was dismissed by Bumrah.
No-Ball Proves Costly for Jasprit Bumrah and India
Had Bumrah not bowled a no-ball, he would have taken Brook's wicket as well in the final over of the day. Brook holed out out a short-mid wicket off Bumrah's bowling but it turned out to be a no-ball.
England ended the day on a strong note, trailing by 262 runs but well in the contest. At stumps on Day 2, England's score reads 209/3.
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What Lies Ahead on Day 3?
India will look to break the Pope-Brook stand early and expose England’s middle-order. They need to make early inroads to prevent England from getting too close to their first-innings total.
England, on the other hand, will aim to bat long and bat deep. Their focus will be on building partnerships and wearing down the Indian attack. If they can get through the first hour unscathed, they have the batting to push the pressure back on India. The game is evenly poised, and Day 3 could decide which direction the match goes.
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