Leeds, June 21, 2025 – India’s first innings in the opening Test against England at Headingley ended at 471 all out on Day 2, powered by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, but marred by a dramatic collapse of seven wickets for 41 runs. Despite the late stumble, India’s commanding total left England reeling as rain delayed the hosts’ reply.
India started Day 2 at 359/3, with Jaiswal (101) and Gill (127*) setting the tone after Ben Stokes opted to bowl on a flat pitch. Jaiswal, opening with KL Rahul (42), crafted a stylish 101 off 159 balls, including 16 fours and a six, before Stokes bowled him post-tea. Gill, in his debut as Test captain, scored a fluent 147 off 200 balls, with 14 fours, joining Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli as Indians with centuries on captaincy debut. Pant, unbeaten on 65 overnight, raced to 130 off 150 balls, smashing 12 fours and three sixes, surpassing MS Dhoni’s record for most Test centuries (7) by an Indian wicketkeeper. His backflip celebration after a one-handed six off Shoaib Bashir lit up Headingley.
Day 2 saw India cruising at 430/3, but disaster struck. Gill fell to Bashir, caught at deep backward square. Karun Nair, back after eight years, bagged a four-ball duck, caught by Ollie Pope off Stokes. Pant was lbw to Josh Tongue, and Shardul Thakur edged Stokes to Jamie Smith before lunch. Post-lunch, Ravindra Jadeja (2) chopped on to Tongue, and the tail folded quickly, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna adding little. Stokes (4/66) and Tongue (2/78) led England’s fightback. Fans on X groaned, one post stating, “From 430/3 to 471 all out – India’s collapse hurts!” India’s lead looks formidable, but the late wobble gave England hope.
