Ollie Pope's magnificent century has ignited England's fightback against India in the first Test at Headingley, silencing critics who had questioned his place in the team. England closed Day 2 at 209 for 3, still trailing India by 262 runs, but with renewed hope thanks to Pope's unbeaten 100.

India, who started the day in a commanding position at 359 for 3, suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 41 runs. Rishabh Pant's century proved to be a lone hand as the rest of the lower order crumbled against impressive spells from Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue, who both finished with four wickets. This collapse allowed England to claw their way back into the contest.

England's response began shakily as Jasprit Bumrah unleashed his brilliance. Bumrah's second and third spells were particularly devastating, accounting for the wickets of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root. He consistently troubled the English batsmen with his movement and aggression, creating numerous chances.

Despite Bumrah's fiery performance, England benefited from some luck and resilience. Ollie Pope was dropped twice, first on 10 and then again on 60, reprieves he would ultimately capitalize on. Harry Brook was also given a second life when he was caught off a Bumrah no-ball late in the day.

Pope, who was selected at number three ahead of Jacob Bethell, made the most of his opportunities, showcasing his class and composure. His innings, hailed as one of his best on home soil, was characterized by fluent strokeplay, particularly behind square on the off side. He reached his century with a somewhat fortuitous inside edge, but it was a testament to his determination and skill. His century came off 125 balls and included 13 fours.

The importance of Pope's innings cannot be overstated. Coming into the match, there were questions surrounding his place in the team. He has Test career average of around 35. While he has shown glimpses of brilliance, consistency has been an issue. This century, his ninth in Tests and third in successive home Tests, not only steadied the ship for England but also served as a powerful statement of his potential.

While India still holds a significant advantage in the match, England's fightback, led by Pope's century, has left the contest finely poised heading into Day 3. The dropped catches and the no-ball will be cause for concern for the Indian team management, while England will be hoping that Pope can continue his innings and build a substantial partnership with Brook.

The series is part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. The last time India toured England in 2021, the series ended in a 2-2 draw. Shubman Gill is leading the Indian side, while Ben Stokes is captaining England.