Rishabh Pant's magnificent century lifted India to a respectable total, but Ollie Pope responded with a brilliant ton of his own, leading an England fightback on the second day of the first Test at Headingley on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

India had a shaky start, but Pant's counter-attacking innings, along with valuable contributions from the top order, propelled them to a competitive score. Pant's innings was a blend of aggression and calculated risk, as he took on the English bowlers with audacious strokes, including a one-handed six. He eventually fell for a well-made 135, becoming the third centurion for India in the innings, following Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill's exploits on the first day. However, after Pant's dismissal, India's batting order collapsed, losing seven wickets for just 41 runs.

England's response began disastrously as Jasprit Bumrah removed Zak Crawley in the very first over. Bumrah bowled with menacing pace and skill, consistently troubling the English batsmen. However, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope counter-attacked, adding 122 runs at a rapid pace. Duckett was dropped twice before Bumrah eventually dismissed him, ending the threatening partnership.

Pope, who had also been dropped, seized the opportunity and played a superb innings, reaching his ninth Test century. He anchored the innings, displaying resilience and elegant strokeplay, helping England chip away at India's first-innings total of 471. Just before stumps, Bumrah struck again, dismissing Joe Root, but Pope remained unbeaten, steering England to a relatively strong position of 209/3 at the end of the day's play, with Harry Brook also at the crease.

Despite Bumrah's three wickets, he lacked sufficient support from the other end. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna struggled to maintain the same level of pressure, and India's decision to play just one spinner appeared to be backfiring, as Ravindra Jadeja couldn't trouble the English batsmen.