Date: June 21, 2025 | Venue: Headingley, Leeds
On an eventful Day 2 of the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Headingley, Leeds, India’s batting lineup showcased dominance but faltered late, posting 471 all out in England’s bowlers fought back, while rain interruptions kept the day’s play fragmented. England began their innings, reaching 35/1 in 5 overs before drizzle halted progress.
India’s Innings: From Command to Collapse
Resuming at 360/3, India were propelled by centuries from captain Shubman Gill (147 off 227 balls, 16×4, 1×6) and vice-captain Rishabh Pant (134 off 178 balls, 17×4, 3×6). The duo’s aggressive strokeplay, including Pant’s milestone-breaking performance (surpassing MS Dhoni’s record for most away Test runs by an Indian wicketkeeper in SENA countries), put India in a commanding position at 430/3.
However, England’s bowlers, led by Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes, triggered a dramatic collapse. India lost seven wickets for just 41 runs, bowled out for 471 in 113 overs. Key moments included:
- Pant’s dismissal: LBW to Tongue for 134, after a failed review confirmed the ball would hit the stumps.
- Karun Nair’s brief return: Caught by Ollie Pope for 0, marking a disappointing comeback after over eight years.
- Ravindra Jadeja’s exit: Bowled by Tongue, playing on for a boundary-laden cameo.
- England’s Josh Tongue (3 wickets) and Ben Stokes (2 wickets) were the standout bowlers, with Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir chipping in.
England’s Reply: Bumrah Strikes Early
England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, faced a fiery Indian pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah struck in the first over, dismissing Crawley for 4 (caught by Karun Nair at first slip) with a slanting delivery. Duckett (unbeaten) and Ollie Pope navigated close calls, with edges flying past gully and surviving a review for a yorker. England reached 35/1 in 5 overs before rain intervened.
Rain Plays Spoilsport
Persistent drizzle and a thunderstorm threat disrupted play multiple times. Covers were on and off, with a brief restart at 2:55 pm local time (7:25 pm IST). However, worsening conditions forced an early end to the day’s play, leaving England trailing by 436 runs.
Key Highlights
- Shubman Gill’s Milestone: Gill became the fifth Indian batter to score a century on Test captaincy debut, joining legends like Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar.
- Rishabh Pant’s Record: Pant’s 134 took him past MS Dhoni’s 3000 Test runs mark for Indian wicketkeepers in SENA nations.
- Karun Nair’s Comeback: Nair’s return after over eight years ended quickly, but his fielding contribution (catching Crawley) was notable.
- Weather Woes: Leeds’ forecast remains challenging, with potential for further interruptions on Day 3.
Day 2 Session Summary
- Lunch: India 454/7 (Pant 134, Jadeja at crease; England took four wickets).
- Tea: Scheduled at 4:15 pm but delayed due to rain.
- Close of Play: England 35/1 in 5 overs, with play abandoned due to drizzle.
Looking Ahead
With India’s first innings wrapped up, England face a daunting task to close the 436-run deficit. India’s pace trio of Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna will aim to exploit any early movement, while England’s batting depth, including Joe Root and Ben Stokes, will be tested. Weather remains a critical factor, with a thunderstorm predicted for Day 3.
Updated Session Timings for Day 3 (subject to weather):
- Start: 11:00 am local time (3:30 pm IST)
- Lunch: 1:00 pm local time (5:30 pm IST)
- Tea: 3:40 pm local time (8:10 pm IST)
- Scheduled Close: 6:43 pm local time (11:13 pm IST)
Stay tuned for live updates as India and England battle for supremacy in this thrilling Test series opener!
