After a smooth, uninterrupted opening day of the five-match Test series between India and England, weather could play spoilsport at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday, 21 June.
Day 1 saw hot and dry conditions, allowing India’s new-look batting line-up to thrive in sunshine and on a flat, batter-friendly surface. However, Day 2 is expected to bring a drastic shift, with rain and overcast skies in the forecast.
According to local weather reports, Headingley could receive up to 7.6 mm of rainfall through the morning and afternoon. While play is expected to begin on time, persistent showers and heavy cloud cover throughout the day may disrupt proceedings and potentially assist the seamers with the new Dukes ball.
The most significant threat comes during the final session, with an 88% chance of rain between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time. Thunderstorms have also been forecast, and there’s a yellow weather warning in place for West Yorkshire, issued by the UK Met Office.
“Scattered thunderstorms may cause some impacts Saturday afternoon, into the evening and night,” the Met Office said in its warning, active from 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. local time.
Even light moisture and thick cloud cover could assist England’s seamers, who have already taken the second new ball. If the pitch freshens up under overcast skies, it could offer the bowlers a much-needed lifeline.
India remain firmly in control at the end of Day 1, posting 359/3. Skipper Shubman Gill is unbeaten on 127, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant not out on 65. The pair have already added an unbroken 138-run stand and will resume on Day 2 — weather permitting.
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