ENG vs IND 2025: Ollie Pope century boosts England but Jasprit Bumrah keeps match in balance

India resumed Day 2 of the first Test at Headingley with solid momentum. Indian captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant were at the crease and comfortably extended their partnership beyond 150 runs.

In the morning session, Pant brought up his seventh Test century in style, launching Shoaib Bashir for a one-handed six over midwicket off his 146th delivery. The milestone was followed by a warm hug with Gill and a celebratory front-flip. With this ton, Pant surpassed MS Dhoni’s record for most Test centuries scored by an Indian wicket-keeper and also registered his third 100+ score on English soil.

However, India soon suffered a dramatic collapse. Gill was dismissed for a brilliant 147, and Karun Nair, making his return to Test cricket after eight years, was out for a duck. Ollie Pope took a sensational catch to dismiss Nair.

India went to Lunch at 454 for 7, with Ben Stokes claiming his fourth wicket. After the break, the collapse continued as India were bowled out for 471, losing seven wickets for just 41 runs. Josh Tongue finished with figures of 4 for 86.

The rain briefly delayed the start of England’s innings, but once play resumed, Jasprit Bumrah struck early. He dismissed Zak Crawley in the opening over with a delivery that angled in and then seamed away sharply, finding the edge to first slip. Bumrah’s opening spell was impressive, ending with figures of 5-2-21-1, while Mohammed Siraj conceded 23 runs in his first three overs.

England then found some rhythm, with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope guiding the score to 54 after 10 overs. At Tea, England were 107 for 1, trailing by 364 runs. Duckett brought up his 19th fifty-plus Test score, as Siraj and Prasidh Krishna struggled to contain the run flow, both going at nearly five runs an over.

After the break, Bumrah was reintroduced into the attack. Pope reached his half-century and with Duckett stitched a 122-run stand for the second wicket. Duckett was eventually dismissed for 62, inside-edging the ball on to his stumps off Bumrah.

Pope enjoyed some luck during his innings, being dropped three times, on 10, 48, and 60, with Yashasvi Jaiswal responsible for two of the missed chances. Pope capitalized on the opportunities and brought up his ninth Test century, his second against India.

Towards the end of the day, Bumrah delivered again by dismissing Joe Root for 28, breaking an 80-run third-wicket partnership and pulling the game slightly back in India’s favour.

England ended Day 2 at 209 for 3, trailing by 262 runs. Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India, picking up all the wickets to fall and finishing with figures of 3 for 48.

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