India's Top Order Shines: Gill and Pant Set the Tone
England expected home advantage to count at Headingley, but India had other plans. Walking onto a green pitch, opener Shubman Gill oozed confidence from the very first ball. He played the seamers and spinners with the sort of calm that drains the opposition’s hope. By the close of Day 1, Gill found himself unbeaten on 127—his strokeplay crisp, footwork precise, and patience on point.
Partnering him, Rishabh Pant turned up the energy. Known for his aggressive intent, Pant didn't hold back. He rotated strike, peppered the boundaries, and kept the scoreboard moving. By stumps, Pant had smashed 65 runs in his own distinctive style, weaving singles with well-timed risks. The pair blunted England’s bowlers across 85 overs—a rare sight on English soil, and the scoreline of 359/3 reflected dominant control. You could hear the frustration build in England’s field placements and bowling changes—as if the home side were constantly searching for answers that weren’t there.
England's Response and Pope's Lone Resistance
When it was England’s turn to bat on Day 2, the crowd hoped for a strong reply. But Indian pacers got into their groove early. The ball swung, seamed, and demanded tight technique; England’s openers couldn’t find lasting comfort at the crease. Quick wickets put the hosts under pressure, and the weight of a big first-innings deficit grew heavier with every passing over.
Amidst tumbling wickets, Ollie Pope stood out. He combined grit and neat shot selection to reach an unbeaten 100 that breathed life into England's innings. Most of his partners, however, couldn’t settle—Harry Brook was yet to start his account by the close of play, staring at a mountain left to climb. England finished the day at 209/3, trailing India by a daunting 262 runs. Fans at Leeds watched anxiously as every run looked hard-earned. The Indian bowlers, smelling a possible collapse, kept probing for weaknesses, especially in England’s shaky middle order.
Day 3 now looks crucial. Will England’s lineup rally behind Pope’s example, or will India’s bowlers turn the screw further? With almost three hundred runs still to chase, the pressure is well and truly on the home side. Whatever happens, this IND vs ENG Test has already shown why cricket at Headingley can swing from dominance to drama in just a few sessions.
