• Ollie Pope delivered an innings brimming with resolve and craft for England on Day 2 of the Headingley Test against India.

  • Jasprit Bumrah’s reputation as the finest fast bowler of his generation further continues to grow with every spell.

Fans react as Ollie Pope’s resilient hundred for England checks India until Jasprit Bumrah’s late intervention
Ollie Pope and Jasprit Bumrah (Image Source: X)

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Under the watchful eyes of a packed Headingley crowd, Ollie Pope delivered an innings brimming with resolve, craft, and resilience as England sought to recover from a dominant Indian display on Day 1.

Ollie Pope’s gritty century breathes life into England’s fightback

Walking in at a tricky juncture, Pope not only survived the wrath of Jasprit Bumrah but also slowly anchored a recovery that grew in substance and style as the innings progressed. Scoring a composed, unbeaten century, Pope silenced critics questioning his place at number three and reaffirmed his status as one of England’s most technically equipped Test batters. He found an able partner in Ben Duckett as the duo stitched together a 122-run stand, countering India’s pace with patience and panache. Though he flirted with danger, dropped once on 60 and edging through the slips earlier, Pope kept his composure to raise his ninth Test hundred, perhaps the finest of his career on home soil, especially considering the context and quality of the opposition attack.

 A game-changing spell for India by Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah’s reputation as the finest fast bowler of his generation continues to grow with every spell, and his performance on Day 2 was another testimony to his skill and stamina. He struck with just the fifth ball of England’s innings, removing Zak Crawley for a mere 4 with a peach that squared him up and found the edge. His return spell dismantled Duckett, who had looked solid until then, and in his final spell of the day, Bumrah returned to land the telling blow, dismissing Joe Root with a subtle away-seamer that induced a tentative poke and a regulation catch in the slip cordon. Bumrah finished the day with figures of 3/48, and each of those wickets was crucial in halting England’s momentum. He even had Harry Brook dismissed in the final over, only for it to be called a no-ball, a moment that briefly threatened to spoil England’s hard work.

Also READ: ENG vs IND: Fans express anger as Shardul Thakur remains unused with the ball on Day 2 of Headingley Test

India’s morning collapse wastes dominant platform

Resuming the day at a formidable 359/3, India had the perfect opportunity to bat England out of the game. However, what followed was a collapse that saw their final seven wickets fall for just 41 runs, a stunning turn of events that allowed the hosts back into the contest. Rishabh Pant brought up a memorable century, his first since his return from a horrific car crash, in vintage style, celebrating with a somersault after smacking Shoaib Bashir for six.

Shubman Gill, who began the day unbeaten on 127, added just 20 before perishing to a loose shot. The collapse began from there. Karun Nair, returning to the Test side after eight years, fell for a duck. Pant, having survived a missed stumping, was eventually trapped lbw by a sharp inswinger from Josh Tongue. The lower order offered little resistance under overcast skies and swinging conditions as India’s innings unraveled, handing momentum back to the English camp. From 430/3 to 471 all out, the visitors were left ruing missed chances to take the game out of England’s reach. With England ending Day 2 on 209/3, trailing India by 262 runs, the stage is set for a compelling contest.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also WATCH: ENG vs IND : Karun Nair’s Test comeback for India ends in disappointment with 4-ball duck as Ollie Pope strikes with stunner

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