Underneath the watchful eyes of a packed Headingley crowd, Ollie Pope delivered an innings brimming with resolve, craft, and resilience as England sought to get better from a dominant Indian show on Day 1.
Ollie Pope’s gritty century breathes life into England’s fightback
Strolling in at a difficult juncture, Pope not solely survived the wrath of Jasprit Bumrah but additionally slowly anchored a restoration that grew in substance and magnificence because the innings progressed. Scoring a composed, unbeaten century, Pope silenced critics questioning his place at quantity three and reaffirmed his standing as one in every of England’s most technically outfitted Check batters. He discovered an ready accomplice in Ben Duckett because the duo stitched collectively a 122-run stand, countering India’s tempo with persistence and panache. Although he flirted with hazard, dropped as soon as on 60 and edging by way of the slips earlier, Pope stored his composure to boost his ninth Check hundred, maybe the best of his profession on house soil, particularly contemplating the context and high quality of the opposition assault.
A game-changing spell for India by Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah’s repute because the best quick bowler of his technology continues to develop with each spell, and his efficiency on Day 2 was one other testimony to his talent and stamina. He struck with simply the fifth ball of England’s innings, eradicating Zak Crawley for a mere 4 with a peach that squared him up and located the sting. His return spell dismantled Duckett, who had appeared stable till then, and in his last spell of the day, Bumrah returned to land the telling blow, dismissing Joe Root with a refined away-seamer that induced a tentative poke and a regulation catch within the slip cordon. Bumrah completed the day with figures of three/48, and every of these wickets was essential in halting England’s momentum. He even had Harry Brook dismissed within the last over, just for it to be known as a no-ball, a second that briefly threatened to spoil England’s arduous work.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND: Fans express anger as Shardul Thakur remains unused with the ball on Day 2 of Headingley Test
India’s morning collapse wastes dominant platform
Resuming the day at a formidable 359/3, India had the right alternative to bat England out of the sport. Nevertheless, what adopted was a collapse that noticed their last seven wickets fall for simply 41 runs, a shocking flip of occasions that allowed the hosts again into the competition. Rishabh Pant introduced up a memorable century, his first since his return from a horrific automotive crash, in classic type, celebrating with a somersault after smacking Shoaib Bashir for six.
Shubman Gill, who started the day unbeaten on 127, added simply 20 earlier than perishing to a unfastened shot. The collapse started from there. Karun Nair, returning to the Check aspect after eight years, fell for a duck. Pant, having survived a missed stumping, was finally trapped lbw by a pointy inswinger from Josh Tongue. The decrease order provided little resistance underneath overcast skies and swinging situations as India’s innings unraveled, handing momentum again to the English camp. From 430/3 to 471 all out, the guests have been left ruing missed probabilities to take the sport out of England’s attain. With England ending Day 2 on 209/3, trailing India by 262 runs, the stage is ready for a compelling contest.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
That is a superb, ballsy hundred from Ollie Pope, his ninth in Check cricket, 1st at Headingley, and 2nd towards India (the primary workforce he is made 2 towards). A lot noise about Jacob Bethell and his place within the aspect, and he is simply obtained his head down and made two nice tons of.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) June 21, 2025
Strain makes diamonds 💎
And now we have the most important jewel in Ollie Pope ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9lMrJnFGQn
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 21, 2025
A gutsy 💯 not out on the massive event! 💥
Take a bow, Ollie Pope. 😮💨
🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/CGqvxAqzxI
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 21, 2025
On a brighter notice, final time India conceded a century to Ollie Pope in first Check of the sequence, they ended up profitable that Collection.
— Akash (@Akashkumarjha14) June 21, 2025
Don’t assume I’ve ever seen a quick bowler carry an assault like Bumrah/India.
It’s ridiculous.
— Neal Gardner (@Nealbackup) June 21, 2025
Bumrah is a King with Crown 👑
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 21, 2025
This is a wonderful spell from Bumrah. Once more. May have had 3-4 on this spell with a little bit of assist from the fielders.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 21, 2025
With the bat, with the ball, India, the inexperienced aspect has proven {that a} bit right now permitting England to come back again within the Check.
Hopefully no repeat forward.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 21, 2025
Bumrah has obtained Root for the tenth time in Assessments… Loopy.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) June 21, 2025
Stumps, Day 2 – 1st Check at Leeds 🏟️
England 209/3 (49 overs) in reply to India’s 471
A powerful fightback from England, led by Ollie Pope’s unbeaten century, has stored the competition finely balanced on the finish of Day 2 in Leeds.
Check cricket at its best! 🔥
scorecard:… pic.twitter.com/gHS0SZ7Q2t
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 21, 2025
Additionally WATCH: ENG vs IND : Karun Nair’s Test comeback for India ends in disappointment with 4-ball duck as Ollie Pope strikes with stunner
