The first Test match between England and India at Headingley has swung back and forth, with England ending Day 2 on 209/3, trailing India by 262 runs. India had earlier been bowled out for 471 after a batting collapse, having looked set for a much larger total. Jasprit Bumrah's incisive bowling, which yielded three crucial wickets, kept India in the hunt, but Ollie Pope's unbeaten century anchored England's response and shifted the momentum.
India's innings began strongly on Day 1, with centuries from Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and a blistering knock from Rishabh Pant. Resuming on Day 2 at 359/3, India looked poised to dominate, but a dramatic collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for just 112 runs. Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue spearheaded England's fightback with the ball, taking four wickets each and preventing India from crossing the 500-run mark.
Jasprit Bumrah provided India with an early breakthrough, dismissing Zak Crawley in the very first over with a delivery that nipped away and took the edge. Bumrah continued to trouble the English batsmen, removing Ben Duckett for 62 after he had formed a 122-run partnership with Ollie Pope. Duckett, who had been aggressive in his approach, was bowled by an inside edge off Bumrah. The Indian pacer then claimed the crucial wicket of Joe Root for 28, getting him caught at first slip, halting another promising partnership with Pope. This marked the tenth time Bumrah has dismissed Root in Test cricket.
Despite Bumrah's efforts, Ollie Pope proved to be a formidable obstacle for the Indian bowlers. He displayed resilience and composure, weathering a challenging opening spell from Bumrah in bowler-friendly conditions. Pope survived a close lbw appeal early in his innings and was also dropped at 60, but he capitalized on these reprieves to reach his ninth Test century. Pope's innings was characterized by strong play square of the wicket, and he reached his century off 131 balls, hitting 13 fours.
Bumrah nearly had a fourth wicket in the day's final over, when Harry Brook edged one to Mohammed Siraj at fine leg, but Bumrah had overstepped, negating the dismissal.
England will look to continue their fightback on Day 3, with Pope and Harry Brook at the crease. India, on the other hand, will aim to exploit the conditions with their pace attack and try to restrict England's lead.
