India vs England Live Score, 1st Test Day 2: IND 471 all out; loses seven wickets for 41 runs; Rain delays innings start.
Cricket is a sport where individual brilliance can spark collective triumph, and on June 21, 2025, the second day of the first Test between India and England at Headingley, Leeds, three young batsmen—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant—lit up the stage with centuries that defined India’s dominance. Their triple-century feat, a rare echo of a historic 2002 performance, turned the match into a celebration of India’s new era. With England reeling by stumps, let’s relive the drama, the records, and the redemption that made this day unforgettable.
India’s Batting Blitz: Setting the Tone on Day 1
India ended Day 1 on a commanding 359/3, thanks to centuries from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 65. Jaiswal’s attacking 101 off 159 balls and Gill’s composed 127 not out off 169 balls set a solid foundation, while Pant’s aggressive fifty hinted at more fireworks to come. The day saw India exploit ideal batting conditions after England opted to bowl first, a decision that backfired as the pitch offered little assistance to their bowlers.
Day 2: The Triple-Century Triumph
Day 2 began with India looking to build on their strong start, and the Jaiswal-Gill-Pant trio delivered a performance for the ages. Pant, resuming at 65, crafted a masterful 134 off 178 balls, reaching his seventh Test century in style. Gill extended his score to 147 before falling, while Jaiswal’s Day 1 ton remained the bedrock of India’s innings. By lunch, India had reached 454/7, but a late collapse saw them bowled out for 471/10 in 113 overs. England’s bowlers, led by Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue, fought back, but the damage was done.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Fearless Trailblazer
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 101 on Day 1 was a statement of intent. The 23-year-old left-hander, battling hand cramps, showcased grit and flair, smashing 16 boundaries and a six. His century, the first by an Indian in their debut Test in England since Shikhar Dhawan in 2017, came off 159 balls and set the tone for India’s dominance. Jaiswal’s ability to attack England’s pacers, including Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes, while surviving a rib-bruising blow, marked him as a cornerstone of India’s future. His 91-run opening stand with KL Rahul and 129-run partnership with Gill laid the foundation for India’s massive total.
Shubman Gill: The Captain’s Commanding Knock
Shubman Gill, in his first match as Test captain, led from the front with a fluent 147 off 227 balls. His Day 1 century (127 not out) was a blend of elegance and authority, with 16 fours and a six. On Day 2, he added crucial runs before being caught off Shoaib Bashir. Gill’s knock made him the fifth Indian to score a century on his Test captaincy debut, joining legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli. His partnerships with Jaiswal and Pant (over 100 runs) were pivotal, and his calm leadership steadied India during a late wobble. Headingley’s standing ovation as he departed was a testament to his impact.
Rishabh Pant: From “Stupid” to “Superb”
Rishabh Pant’s 134 on Day 2 was the heartbeat of India’s innings. Resuming at 65, he reached his seventh Test century in 146 balls, surpassing MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter (six in 90 Tests vs. Pant’s seven in 44). His knock, featuring 12 fours and six sixes, tied him with global greats like Kumar Sangakkara for the fourth-most Test tons by a wicketkeeper. Pant’s innings blended audacity—a six off Ben Stokes on his second ball—with restraint, scoring just 16 off 44 balls against Bashir. Trapped LBW by Josh Tongue, Pant’s exit sparked a collapse, but not before he’d rewritten history. Sunil Gavaskar, who once called Pant “stupid” for a reckless shot in Australia 2021, hailed this knock as “superb, superb, superb,” completing a redemption arc that resonated with fans.
A Historic Echo: The 2002 Connection
The centuries by Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant marked a rare feat, last achieved by India at Headingley in 2002, when Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Sachin Tendulkar scored tons in the same innings, leading to a famous victory. In 2025, this new trio—aged 23, 25, and 27—signaled a vibrant transition for Indian cricket in the post-Kohli-Sharma era. Their 359/3 on Day 1 was India’s highest first-day total in England, surpassing 338/7 at Edgbaston in 2022, and only the third time India crossed 300 on the first day of a tour.
England’s Fightback and India’s Collapse
England, reeling from a tough Day 1, found some fight on Day 2. After Pant’s century and Gill’s 147, India lost momentum. Karun Nair, returning after over 2,763 days, fell for a four-ball duck, caught by Ollie Pope off Stokes. Shoaib Bashir dismissed Gill, and Josh Tongue trapped Pant LBW. Shardul Thakur’s brief 1 off 8 balls ended with another Stokes wicket, leaving India at 454/7 at lunch. The final session saw India bowled out for 471, with England’s bowlers claiming 4/24 in the last seven overs. Despite the collapse, India’s total posed a daunting challenge.
Pant’s Overseas Legacy: A Wicketkeeper Apart
Pant’s Leeds century added to his stellar overseas record. His previous Test tons came in London (2018), Sydney (2019), Cape Town (2022), Birmingham (2022), Chennai (2021), and Ahmedabad (2021). With five of his seven centuries scored abroad, he’s the only visiting wicketkeeper to score Test hundreds in Australia, England, and South Africa. His 2024 T20 World Cup heroics and INR 27 crore IPL deal with Lucknow Super Giants in 2025 highlight his star power, but his Test form—exemplified by this 134—remains his truest legacy. His sharp glovework, earning him the “Spidey” nickname, further solidified his all-round impact.
India’s Bowling Onslaught: England on the Ropes
By stumps on Day 2, England’s reply was in disarray, with India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, exploiting cloudy conditions. The exact score of England’s innings isn’t specified, but posts indicate they were struggling, with India’s pace attack and Ravindra Jadeja’s spin applying relentless pressure. The match tilted firmly in India’s favor, setting the stage for a potential rout.
A New Era Dawns
India’s performance on June 21, 2025, was more than a day of cricket—it was a statement. Jaiswal’s aggression, Gill’s leadership, and Pant’s redemption powered India to a position of strength. As England battled to survive, the triple centuries stood as a beacon of hope for a team in transition. For fans, this was a day to cherish, a reminder that cricket’s magic lies in its stories of grit and glory.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is based on publicly available match reports and player profiles as of June 21, 2025.
Source: Compiled from cricket match updates, player statistics, and posts on X available as of June 21, 2025.
