Day two of the first Test between England and India at Headingley in Leeds began with India in a commanding position at 359/3. After a dominant day one, India looked to build on their strong foundation, but the weather forecast threatened to disrupt play.

India's overnight batsmen, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, aimed to extend India's dominance. Gill, the captain, was unbeaten on 127, while Pant was not out on 65. The pair looked to pile on more runs and bat England out of the game. India hoped to add another 200-250 runs to their total, aiming for a first-innings score of over 500.

However, the conditions on day two were expected to be significantly different from the sunny and dry opening day. Overcast skies, increased humidity, and the potential for rain were predicted, offering more assistance to the English seam bowlers. While caution was necessary, Pant's aggressive style suggested the possibility of some audacious strokeplay early in the day, as India looked to counter-attack from the outset.

The English bowlers, who struggled on day one, aimed to exploit the changed conditions. Ben Stokes, who took two wickets on the first day, hoped to lead the attack and make early breakthroughs. The new ball was just five overs old, giving England an opportunity to utilize it and put India under pressure.

The weather forecast indicated a high chance of rain, particularly in the afternoon sessions. A yellow warning had been issued for Leeds, with an 86% probability of precipitation. The cloud cover was expected to remain thick throughout the day, creating ideal conditions for seam bowling.

Despite the gloomy forecast, play was scheduled to begin on time. Fans hoped that the rain would stay away and allow for a full day of cricket. However, the conditions favored England's bowlers, who needed to strike early to prevent India from building an insurmountable lead.

India's strong start on day one was largely due to centuries from Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal, in his first innings in England, scored a magnificent 101, while Gill played a captain's knock, remaining unbeaten at the end of the day. Their partnerships helped India recover from the early loss of KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan.

The start of day two was crucial for both teams. India aimed to continue their momentum and build a massive first-innings total, while England needed to capitalize on the favorable conditions and strike early to get back into the game. The threat of rain loomed large, potentially disrupting the flow of play and impacting the final outcome of the Test.