Rohan Chowdhury in Leeds
After a dominant start on Day 1 at Headingley, India’s batting order stumbled early on Day 2, folding for 471 in the first innings. England, in response, reached 209 for the loss of three wickets by stumps, still trailing by 262 runs.
India’s sudden collapse coincided with a shift in weather. A brief passing shower halted play, and the sky turned overcast. The heavier air seemed to awaken the English bowling attack, who exploited the conditions brilliantly. It was evident that had the weather held, India’s pacers could have wreaked similar havoc — and Jasprit Bumrah, in particular, had looked ready for the challenge.
But Bumrah’s day was a rollercoaster — a blend of brilliance and frustration. His opening spell set the tone, dismissing Zak Crawley with a near-unplayable delivery that angled into middle and then seamed away just enough to catch the edge. Karun Nair at slip made no mistake, and India had their early breakthrough.
However, Bumrah’s efforts were repeatedly undermined by lapses in the field and lack of support from the other end. Mohammed Siraj struggled with his line and length, conceding runs freely, and the fielding — usually not India’s weakness — let them down badly.
Missed chances began to pile up. Ben Duckett was given a life on 15 when Ravindra Jadeja, usually one of the safest hands in world cricket, spilled a sharp chance at backward point. Duckett capitalised on the error, going on to make 62. “Much thankful to Jadeja for that. He doesn’t drop many,” Duckett said in the post-day press conference.
Another costly drop came in the 30th over — Ollie Pope, on 60, edged a lazy stroke off Bumrah straight to Yashasvi Jaiswal at slip. It was regulation — and it went down. Pope would go on to reach his hundred, still unbeaten by the end of day’s play.
These weren’t isolated moments. Jadeja uncharacteristically tried to block a boundary with his leg instead of diving; Bumrah failed to stop a ball off his own bowling that dribbled away to the rope; overthrows added to the tally of avoidable runs. All this not only helped England stay in the game but also increased the burden on Bumrah.
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Towards the end of the day, Bumrah looked mentally worn. His final over saw three consecutive no-balls — highly uncharacteristic — and one of those oversteps denied him the wicket of Harry Brook, caught by Siraj. A potential fourth wicket lost to a moment of fatigue and misjudgment.
Still, Bumrah ended the day with the prized scalps of Crawley, Duckett, and Joe Root — the last batter dismissed just as he began to rally with Pope amid the familiar chorus of “Roooooooot” from the Headingley crowd.
Despite those breakthroughs, it was clear that Bumrah was fighting a lone battle. Without adequate fielding support or sustained pressure from the other end, his workload only increased. India will need to reassess how best to support their premier fast bowler — mentally and physically — if they are to maintain their dominance through this series.
Duckett summed it up succinctly: “He’s the best bowler in the world. It could have been much worse for us.” Indeed, had India held their catches and backed up their spearhead, England might have found themselves in far deeper trouble.
As things stand, with weather forecasts suggesting rain around noon on Day 3, conditions could once again aid swing and seam. The Indian pacers — led by Bumrah — have a chance to tilt the game back in their favour. But they’ll need sharper fielding and stronger support if they’re to make it count.
The Headingley crowd, meanwhile, was in full voice — colourful costumes, mock appeals mimicking Jadeja, and plenty of Pimms and beer. It was Saturday cricket in England at its liveliest — and if India can regroup quickly, Day 3 might just swing back their way.
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