IND vs ENG 1st Test Day 2 Highlights: Pope Anchors England to 206/3; Bumrah Shines with 3 Wickets

India started strong on Day 1, but things slipped on Day 2 as England took control of the first Test in Leeds. Jasprit Bumrah was once again India’s best bowler, but sloppy fielding hurt their chances. Rishabh Pant made headlines with his record-breaking knock, while Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope played fearless, attacking cricket to swing the momentum back England’s way.

The hosts now trail by 262 runs with Joe Root and Ollie Pope batting confidently. Rishabh Pant resumed on 65 after a steady knock on Day 1 and wasted no time on the second morning. He kept the scoreboard ticking with regular boundaries and went after Shoaib Bashir, hitting a big six to move into the 90s and another to bring up his century. It was his third Test hundred in England the most by a visiting wicketkeeper and his seventh overall, taking him past MS Dhoni’s record of six.

Shubman Gill resumed on 127 and added 20 more runs before mistiming a shot to deep mid-wicket while trying to reach his first 150 in style. Though he missed the mark, it was his highest Test score and the second-highest by an Indian captain on debut.

Karun Nair, much like Sai Sudharsan, had a disappointing return to the Indian team after eight years. Coming in at 430/4, he had a great chance to settle in, but was dismissed for a four-ball duck. The 33-year-old played a loose drive to a full delivery, and Ollie Pope took a brilliant catch to send him back.

Ollie Pope Silences the Critics with Gritty Century

That 💯 moment...

Take a bow. Oliver John Douglas Pope 🫡

🤝 @IGcom pic.twitter.com/ITqFhG13ho

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 21, 2025

India were cruising with Shubman Gill on 147 and Rishabh Pant scoring a century, looking set for a 600+ total. But things went downhill quickly as they collapsed from 430/3 to 471 all out, losing 7 wickets for just 41 runs around the Lunch break and letting England back into the game. On the bowling front, it was once again the Jasprit Bumrah show. He struck in his first over to remove Zak Crawley, then dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root. With 148 wickets in SENA countries, he now holds the record for most by an Asian pacer there and continues to shine overseas with an average under 21, surpassing even Wasim Akram.

Jasprit Bumrah nearly had a fourth wicket when he surprised Harry Brook with a sharp bouncer, but an overstep gave the England batter a lucky escape. Bumrah got little help from the other end, as both Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna struggled to make an impact. Ollie Pope, whose place in the team was uncertain before the match, proved his worth with a brilliant century. Despite doubts over his form and competition from Jacob Bethell, England stuck with him after his 170 against Zimbabwe and he delivered. Pope built key partnerships with Ben Duckett and Joe Root, helping England cross 200. He handled Bumrah well and will be crucial in their chase of India’s 471.

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