Day 2 of the India vs. England Day 2 Test 2025 saw an amazing change in momentum. Due to a fierce comeback by England’s middle order, which was led by a gritty undefeated century from Ollie Pope, India ended the day on the defensive after beginning it in a commanding position. In 49 overs, England reached 209/3 at stumps, still 262 runs behind India’s 471-run first-inning total.
Let’s examine the significant events and pivotal moments from each session that influenced how this Test match unfolded.
India’s Shocking Meltdown: From 430/3 to All Out for 471!
With Shubman Gill undefeated at 132 and Rishabh Pant at 74, India started the second day at a comfortable 359/3. Since the two appeared ready to pile on the runs, expectations were high. India batted with ease and control for the first hour, and it looked very likely that they would easily reach the 500-run milestone.
Shubman Gill became the first Indian batter to reach a significant milestone in an innings on Day 2 when he reached his career-best score of 147. With its graceful cover drives, clean flicks, and assured punches off the back foot, his knock was a pleasure to watch. At the other end, Rishabh Pant made a stunning change of pace and reached his seventh Test century with a hammering 134 off just 143 balls. He celebrated with a playful cartwheel, which swiftly became the highlight of the day and represented his powerful return to peak performance following a protracted injury layoff.
But India’s innings started to fall apart when Shubman Gill was dismissed for 147 at 430/4. A sudden collapse resulted from the rapid departure of Shardul Thakur, Rishabh Pant, and Karun Nair. India collapsed to 471 all out in just 11.1 overs after losing their last 7 wickets for just 41 runs after a solid 430/3.
Fall of Wickets (India 1st Innings):
430/4 – Shubman Gill (101.5 ov)
447/5 – Karun Nair (104.6 ov)
453/6 – Rishabh Pant (107.2 ov)
454/7 – Shardul Thakur (108.4 ov)
458/8 – Jasprit Bumrah (110.3 ov)
469/9 – Ravindra Jadeja (112.1 ov)
471/10 – Prasidh Krishna (112.6 ov)
Ben Stokes (4/66) and Josh Tongue (4/86) were the pick of the bowlers. They used the second new ball brilliantly and exploited the morning cloud cover.
England 1st Innings – Day 2 Summary
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | S/R | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 | c Karun Nair b Jasprit Bumrah |
| Ben Duckett | 62 | 94 | 9 | 0 | 65.96 | b Jasprit Bumrah |
| Ollie Pope | 100* | 131 | 13 | 0 | 76.34 | Not out |
| Joe Root | 28 | 58 | 2 | 0 | 48.28 | c Karun Nair b Jasprit Bumrah |
| Harry Brook | 0* | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Not out |
Extras: 15 (NB 7, W 1, LB 7)
Fall of Wickets:
4/1 (Zak Crawley, 0.6 ov)
126/2 (Ben Duckett, 28.3 ov)
206/3 (Joe Root, 46.3 ov)
Turning Points of the Day
- India’s Sudden Collapse – From a possible 550+ total to being all out for 471 changed the mood and momentum of the match.
- Pope-Duckett Partnership – Their stand steadied England and gave them a solid base for Day 3.
- No-Ball Lifeline – Harry Brook survived a Bumrah dismissal due to a marginal no-ball. If that had stood, England would’ve been 160/4 and in deep trouble.
Off-Field Drama and Highlights
- Rishabh Pant’s cartwheel after reaching his century was widely shared across social media and lit up the atmosphere.
- A freak moment occurred when Ben Duckett accidentally hit Harry Brook on the ribs while attempting a quick single. Brook fell awkwardly and had to get treatment, but later returned to the crease.
- There was some heated exchange between Virat Kohli and Joe Root during a review appeal, but the umpires calmed things down quickly.
What to Expect on Day 3?
The match is evenly matched, with England behind by 262 runs and seven wickets remaining. India will be hoping for early runs from Bumrah and Siraj, as a couple of early wickets could reveal the tail. However, England might approach India’s score if Brook settles in and Pope can continue.
Even with the new ball, Headingley’s pitch still has bounce and swing. On both days, though, it flattened out after lunch, indicating that batting will become simpler as the ball ages.
The third day’s weather forecast calls for clear skies, which might help batters.
Expert Opinions
Sunil Gavaskar:
“India missed a golden opportunity to bat England out of the game. Losing 7 wickets for 41 runs is a big lapse. Bumrah will be the key tomorrow.”
Nasser Hussain:
“Pope showed why England rate him so highly. His calm under pressure was exceptional. If England can get to 400+, they’re right in this match.”
