In a stunning reversal of momentum on Day 2 of the 1st Test at Leeds, England delivered a spirited response to India’s formidable first-innings total of 471. At the heart of this resurgence was Ollie Pope, whose unbeaten century (100* off 125 balls) underlined England’s grit and tactical resilience against a formidable Indian attack. Despite three Indian centurions—Shubman Gill (147), Rishabh Pant (134), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101)—the visitors crumbled from 430/3 to 471 all out, offering England a much-needed opening.
By stumps, England stood at 209/3, trailing by 262 runs but holding the psychological edge thanks to Pope’s composure and calculated aggression.
Stumps on Day 2 in Headingley!
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 21, 2025
England move to 209/3, trail by 262 runs.
3⃣ wickets so far for Jasprit Bumrah ⚡️
Join us tomorrow for Day 3 action 🏏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/CuzAEnBkyu#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/OcNi0x7KVW
Indian Centurions Shine, But Middle-Order Collapse Proves Costly
The morning session belonged to India—at least for the first hour. Gill and Pant resumed with confidence and flair, building on their dominant overnight stand. Gill was graceful and methodical in his approach, while Pant took the more aggressive route, showing no hesitation in dispatching the ball to the boundary. Pant’s approach against Shoaib Bashir was particularly commanding, as he brought up his century with a lofted sweep over the ropes, followed by a characteristic somersault celebration.
The duo looked set to guide India well beyond the 500-run mark, but the script changed swiftly. Gill, on 147, attempted an uncharacteristic slog-sweep and was caught at deep square leg—an ill-timed stroke that triggered the collapse. Karun Nair, returning to the Test side, failed to make an impact, falling for a duck. Pant continued to play freely but was eventually undone by Josh Tongue, trapped leg-before after a review failed to overturn the decision.
From there, England took control. Ben Stokes, leading from the front, brought back control with the ball, striking at critical junctures and tightening the screws. India’s tail failed to offer resistance, and the innings ended far sooner than expected. The collapse from a position of strength left India vulnerable and allowed England to shift gears heading into their first innings.
Ollie Pope Responds With Authority
Chasing a formidable 471, England’s innings began on a shaky note. Jasprit Bumrah, in his trademark rhythm, struck early with a beautiful outswinger that caught Zak Crawley’s edge, sending the opener back cheaply. Bumrah continued to trouble the English batsmen, creating multiple chances during his opening spell. However, India failed to capitalize on those opportunities, with catches going down in the slip and gully regions—misses that would prove costly.
Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope came together to stabilize the innings and did so with remarkable poise and confidence. Duckett played with freedom, finding the gaps and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Ollie Pope, at the other end, was measured but assertive. The pair added 122 runs for the second wicket, rotating the strike effectively and capitalizing on anything loose.
Duckett reached his half-century with a clever sweep shot off Ravindra Jadeja. The left-hander’s aggression forced the Indian bowlers onto the defensive, especially Mohammad Siraj, who struggled with consistency. Prasidh Krishna, replacing Siraj, leaked runs as Duckett and Pope found boundaries with ease. Under thick Leeds skies, the ball moved around, but the England pair managed the conditions well, respecting good deliveries and punishing anything overpitched or short.
Ollie Pope Century Highlights: Anchoring England’s Fightback in 1st Test
Duckett eventually fell in the third session to a well-directed delivery from Bumrah, who returned to end the threatening stand with an inswinger that caught the inside edge. His dismissal brought Joe Root to the crease—greeted warmly by the Headingley crowd and immediately tested by India’s attack.
While Root played with familiar calm, it was Ollie Pope who took on the responsibility of anchoring the innings. His innings was a study in composure, punctuated by late cuts, soft dabs, and wristy flicks. Despite a few moments of fortune—he was dropped twice—Pope remained focused and punished India’s wayward bowling with ruthless efficiency. His hundred, reached off 125 balls, was met with roaring applause and marked a significant milestone in England’s effort to claw back into the contest.
Pope’s innings was not just about technical skill but also psychological intent. He took the attack to the spinners, used the crease intelligently, and never allowed the bowlers to settle into a rhythm. It was an innings born from adversity, one that shifted the narrative of the Test and rekindled England’s hopes of gaining parity.
Pressure makes diamonds 💎
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 21, 2025
And we have the biggest jewel in Ollie Pope ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9lMrJnFGQn
India Missed Chances: Fielding Errors Prove Costly in Test Match
India’s effort in the field was far from clinical. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja both put down crucial chances that allowed Ollie Pope to settle. The pace attack, though potent in bursts, lacked sustained pressure. Siraj’s expensive opening spell, coupled with Prasidh Krishna’s inconsistency, meant the burden fell heavily on Bumrah and Jadeja to control the game.
The missed chances, particularly off Bumrah’s bowling, sapped the energy from the fielding unit and allowed England to build partnerships without scoreboard pressure. Rain briefly interrupted the second session, but England remained undeterred, returning to the crease with renewed purpose.
England vs India Test Cricket: Bumrah Strikes Late as England Steady
As the day drew to a close, India found a much-needed breakthrough. Bumrah once again produced the magic, dismissing Joe Root for the tenth time in Test cricket. It was a key wicket, breaking an 80-run partnership and giving India a chance to reassert themselves.
Drama followed in the final over when Bumrah thought he had removed Harry Brook, caught at midwicket. But the celebration was cut short as the delivery was deemed a no-ball—a heartbreaking moment for the visitors, who had glimpsed an opening to disrupt England further.
England ended the day at 209 for 3, trailing by 262 but with their top and middle order now firmly set. With Ollie Pope unbeaten and Brook at the crease, England will look to capitalize on a worn ball and a deflated Indian attack heading into Day 3.
Test Match Preview Day 3: England vs India – What to Expect from Ollie Pope
With momentum gradually shifting, the third day is poised to be decisive. England, having weathered the initial storm, now has the opportunity to close the gap significantly or even take a slender lead. The pitch at Headingley, while still offering some movement, has been relatively kind to set batsmen. If Ollie Pope and Brook can settle, England may well position themselves for a dominant second half of the match.
For India, the focus must be on discipline—both with the ball and in the field. Bumrah has been exceptional, but he needs support from his fellow quicks and spinners. Fielding lapses must be addressed if India is to regain control of the match.
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Highlights from today's play have just dropped 😍
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 21, 2025
Watch the best of Ollie Pope's exceptional hundred, right here 👇
Conclusion
Day 2 at Headingley delivered a masterclass in Test cricket drama—a day that began with India firmly in the driver’s seat but ended with England staging a remarkable comeback, led by the poise and resilience of Ollie Pope. His unbeaten century not only kept England afloat but redefined the narrative of the match.
India’s early dominance, underpinned by three masterful centuries, ultimately crumbled due to a sudden and avoidable collapse. England, to their credit, seized the opportunity with both ball and bat, displaying tactical sharpness and mental fortitude when it mattered most.
As the match heads into Day 3, the stakes have never been higher. England’s middle order is set, their confidence rebuilt, and the game is wide open. For India, the pressure will mount—not only to break the partnerships but also to regain the control they so dramatically lost. Every session from here on will be a battleground.
With both sides evenly matched in skill and ambition, cricket fans around the world are witnessing the kind of gripping contest that defines the magic of Test cricket. The momentum may have shifted, but the war is far from over.
