Ollie Pope’s unbeaten century kept England in the game as they reached 209/3 in reply to India’s 471, with Jasprit Bumrah taking three key wickets, including Joe Root.

At the end of Day 2 of the first Test between India and England at Headingley, Leeds, the match remained in balance. England ended the day at 209/3 in response to India’s first-innings total of 471. England now trail by 262 runs, with Ollie Pope standing tall with his impressive century.

Pope played a determined knock, reaching his unbeaten century off just 131 deliveries, which included 13 boundaries. Making the most of the chances he received, Pope anchored England’s innings under pressure and kept India from tightening their grip completely. He was joined at the crease by Harry Brook, who was yet to get off the mark at the close of play.

Earlier, England suffered a key blow when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed their most reliable batter, Joe Root, for 28. Root was looking set but edged one to the slips, where Karun Nair took a catch. Bumrah, who finished the day with figures of 3/48, provided India with the breakthrough they needed to halt England’s steady recovery.

India had resumed Day 2 at a strong position but lost momentum early on. After a dominant Day 1 that saw centuries from Shubman Gill (147), Rishabh Pant (134* overnight), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), India lost their final seven wickets for just 112 runs. Pant departed for 134, while the rest of the batting lineup failed to perform.

Despite the late collapse, India posted a commanding 471, thanks largely to the top-order brilliance. However, Ollie Pope’s resistance and Bumrah’s timely strikes have set the stage for an exciting Day 3 as England aim to narrow the gap and India look for early wickets to regain momentum.