Leeds: Day two at Headingley swung heavily in England’s favour, as India’s missed opportunities in the field and a fine hundred from Ollie Pope shifted the momentum of the third Test. At stumps, England were 209 for 3 in response to India’s 471, trailing by 262 runs but holding the edge after a determined batting effort led by Pope and Ben Duckett.
India had started the day in control at 359 for 3, with Rishabh Pant in free-flowing form. His 134 was a thrilling display of improvisation and power, marked by six sixes and a range of unorthodox strokes. Shubman Gill added 147, continuing his form from day one, but a dramatic collapse followed as the visitors lost seven wickets for just 41 runs.
Despite a commanding total, India allowed England back into the contest through a combination of dropped chances and overstepping errors. Pope, who finished unbeaten on 100, was offered multiple lives — including a drop at third slip and another opportunity that fell short due to a missing fourth slip. Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed all three wickets to fall, was the bowler on each occasion and showed clear frustration as fielding lapses and a no-ball cost India dearly.
Ben Duckett supported Pope with a fluent 62, and their 122-run partnership for the second wicket blunted India’s attack. While Mohammed Siraj bowled a probing spell and had Joe Root in trouble, a successful review saved the England batter early on. Root later fell for 28, but Pope accelerated, playing a range of strokes to bring up his ninth Test hundred — his second in as many matches.
India’s bowlers, particularly Bumrah, kept England under pressure, but the missed chances, including a dropped catch by Ravindra Jadeja and a crucial no-ball that cost them Harry Brook’s wicket on 0, proved costly.
The frustration was evident in India’s body language, and while they remain in a strong position, their inability to capitalise on key moments has allowed England to stay in the game with seven wickets in hand and 63 runs left to avoid the follow-on.
As the match heads into its third day, England will aim to close the deficit further, while India will need a sharper performance in the field to reclaim full control of the Test.