India vs England 1st Test Day 2 Session 2 highlights Duckett Pope batting partnership after Bumrah wicket
Headingley, June 21, 2025 – What began with promise for India ended with frustration as England’s top order, led by the determined Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, fought back valiantly in the second session on Day 2 of the first Test. Jasprit Bumrah provided the breakthrough with the early wicket of Zak Crawley, but that turned out to be India’s only moment of joy in an otherwise fruitless post-lunch session.
By the tea break, England had recovered to 107 for 1 in just 24 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 103-run stand between Duckett (53*) and Pope (48*), significantly narrowing the psychological deficit of India’s commanding 471-run total.
Bumrah Starts with Fire, Ends in Frustration
When Jasprit Bumrah steamed in under the grey skies of Headingley, the signs were ominous for England. With swing in the air and a heavy cloud cover, it took him just six deliveries to strike—removing Zak Crawley for 4 with a classic Bumrah special: angling in, then seaming away to find the edge. Karun Nair made no mistake in the slip cordon.
However, the intensity fizzled out as the hosts’ No. 2 and No. 3 settled in. Bumrah’s probing lines continued, and he could have had Ollie Pope early as well. A sharp edge flew through where a fourth slip should have been—a tactical error that cost India dearly.
Even worse was the reprieve Ben Duckett received. Attempting a rash cut shot, he sent a regulation catch to Ravindra Jadeja at backward point. The ball was straight into the hands of one of the safest fielders in world cricket—and yet, Jadeja dropped it. Duckett was on 15 then. He went on to score a fluid, unbeaten half-century, his 19th fifty-plus score in Test cricket.
India’s Momentum Lost After Strong Morning
Earlier in the day, India resumed at a dominant 359 for 3. With centurions Shubman Gill (147), Rishabh Pant (134), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) already making the English bowlers toil, the visitors seemed on course for a 600+ total. But cricket, as always, remained unpredictable.
The collapse began with the wicket of Gill—caught behind off Stokes. From that point on, the innings unravelled shockingly. India lost their final 7 wickets for just 41 runs, ending on 471.
England’s bowlers led the resurgence. Ben Stokes delivered a captain’s spell, taking 4 for 66, including crucial top-order wickets. Josh Tongue, wicketless for 16 overs on Day 1, bounced back with 4 for 86—claiming the lion’s share of the tail.
Tactical Breakdown: Where India Missed Out
While India dominated the scoreboard, their post-lunch bowling effort showed a lack of adaptability. Some key factors:
| Tactical Element | Impact |
|---|---|
| Missing fourth slip | Allowed Pope a life early in his innings |
| Poor fielding | Jadeja’s drop gave Duckett the second wind to build his innings |
| Predictable lines | Siraj and Prasidh Krishna failed to generate pressure like Bumrah |
| Passive bowling changes | Lack of short-pitched bowling and mid-session aggression from Rohit Sharma |
The lack of breakthroughs wasn’t because of a poor pitch—it was due to missed chances and uninspired field settings.
Session Summary: Day 2, Post-Lunch
| Session | Score | Run Rate | Wickets | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch to Tea | 107/1 (24 overs) | 4.45 | 1 (Crawley) | Duckett (53*), Pope (48*) lead England fight |
Player Reactions & Context
Ben Duckett, who had questioned Bumrah’s threat before the series, has now answered back with the bat. Ironically, it was against Bumrah that he was handed a reprieve—one he fully capitalized on.
Ollie Pope, on the other hand, blended patience with aggression, especially against the less threatening pace of Siraj and Krishna. He cut and drove with authority, keeping the scoreboard ticking and the Indian bowlers guessing.
Scorecard Snapshot: India vs England 1st Test – Day 2 (Tea)
India – 471 all out
- Shubman Gill – 147
- Rishabh Pant – 134
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – 101
- Ben Stokes – 4/66
- Josh Tongue – 4/86
England – 107/1 (24 overs)
- Ben Duckett – 53* (61 balls)
- Ollie Pope – 48* (58 balls)
- Zak Crawley – 4 (6 balls, out to Bumrah)
- Jasprit Bumrah – 1/23 (6 overs)
What This Means Going Forward
- India missed key chances that could’ve exposed England’s middle-order.
- England’s scoring rate (4.45 RPO) signals intent and confidence.
- If Duckett and Pope convert their starts, India could be looking at conceding a large first-innings reply.
Here are knowledgeable, data-rich tables to complement your article about Day 2 of the 1st Test between India and England, specifically focusing on Duckett and Pope’s batting partnership, bowling performance, and session-wise analysis.
England Batting Performance – Day 2 (Session 2)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s/6s | Strike Rate | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Duckett | 53* | 61 | 8/0 | 86.88 | Dropped at 15 by Jadeja, made India pay |
| Ollie Pope | 48* | 58 | 7/0 | 82.76 | Escaped early edge, capitalized well |
| Zak Crawley | 4 | 6 | 1/0 | 66.66 | Dismissed early by Bumrah |
India Bowling Performance – Post-Lunch Session
| Bowler | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy | Key Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 6 | 23 | 1 | 3.83 | Most threatening, but lacked support |
| Mohammed Siraj | 6 | 25 | 0 | 4.16 | Inconsistent length, lacked penetration |
| Prasidh Krishna | 5 | 32 | 0 | 6.40 | Expensive, struggled with line and control |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 7 | 27 | 0 | 3.85 | Tight, but no assistance from surface |
Session-Wise Comparison – India vs England, Day 2
| Session | India (Batting) | England (Batting) | Wickets | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Session | 471 All Out (resumed on 359) | N/A | 7 (India) | India collapsed after top-order dominance |
| Post-Lunch | N/A | 107/1 in 24 overs | 1 (England) | Duckett-Pope frustrate India |
Top 5 England Partnerships vs India at Headingley
| Partnership | Batsmen | Year | Wicket | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gooch–Atherton | G. Gooch & M. Atherton | 1990 | 1st | 156 |
| Root–Bairstow | J. Root & J. Bairstow | 2021 | 4th | 139 |
| Cook–Trott | A. Cook & J. Trott | 2011 | 2nd | 122 |
| Duckett–Pope (Ongoing) | B. Duckett & O. Pope | 2025 | 2nd | 103* |
India’s Collapse – Last 7 Wickets on Day 2
| Batter | Runs Scored | Bowler | Mode of Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 147 | Ben Stokes | Caught behind |
| Rishabh Pant | 134 | Josh Tongue | Caught |
| Axar Patel | 9 | Josh Tongue | LBW |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 5 | Ben Stokes | Bowled |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 1 | Josh Tongue | Caught |
| Mohammed Siraj | 3 | Ben Stokes | Caught in slips |
| Prasidh Krishna | 0 | Josh Tongue | Bowled |
History Watch: England’s Best Partnerships vs India at Headingley
| Partnership | Players | Year | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Wicket | Gooch & Atherton | 1990 | 156 |
| 2nd Wicket | Root & Bairstow | 2021 | 139 |
| Duckett & Pope (so far) | Current Match | 2025 | 103* |
If they continue post-tea, Duckett and Pope could etch themselves into Headingley folklore.
Stat of the Session
Jasprit Bumrah has now dismissed Zak Crawley five times in Test cricket, reinforcing his dominance over the England opener.
Conclusion: India Must Regroup Fast
This session belonged firmly to England. After being pushed onto the back foot by Bumrah’s early strike, the hosts mounted a spirited comeback. India, meanwhile, will regret their lapses in the field and must rethink their strategy in the next session. The lead is still vast—364 runs—but the momentum has clearly shifted.
Knowledgeable FAQs – India vs England 1st Test, Day 2
Q1: Who were the key performers for England in the second session of Day 2?
A: Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were the standout performers in the second session. Duckett remained unbeaten on 53 and Pope on 48, adding a crucial 103-run stand for the second wicket, stabilizing England after an early wicket fell to Jasprit Bumrah.
Q2: What was Jasprit Bumrah’s impact in the second session?
A: Bumrah struck early by dismissing Zak Crawley in the very first over after lunch. However, despite creating multiple chances—including an edge from Pope and a dropped catch from Duckett—he couldn’t add to his tally and ended the session with figures of 1 for 23.
Q3: How did India perform overall with the ball in the post-lunch session?
A: India started well with Bumrah’s early breakthrough but lacked consistency and support from the other bowlers. Fielding lapses, including a dropped catch by Ravindra Jadeja, and defensive tactics allowed England to regain momentum.
Q4: What caused India’s batting collapse earlier in the day?
A: Despite a dominant position at 359 for 3, India lost their final 7 wickets for just 41 runs. The collapse was triggered by poor shot selection and effective bowling spells by Ben Stokes (4/66) and Josh Tongue (4/86), particularly targeting the middle and lower order.
Q5: What record did Rishabh Pant achieve in the first innings?
A: Rishabh Pant scored his 7th Test century (134 runs), equaling MS Dhoni’s record of six centuries as a designated wicketkeeper for India in Tests.
Q6: Why was Ollie Pope lucky to survive against Bumrah?
A: Ollie Pope edged a Bumrah delivery early in his innings, but there was no fourth slip in place. The ball flew through the vacant area, giving Pope a vital reprieve that allowed him to build his innings.
Q7: What is the significance of Duckett and Pope’s partnership?
A: Their unbeaten 103-run stand steadied England’s innings and significantly reduced the pressure of chasing India’s large first-innings score. It was also one of the most resilient second-wicket stands England has had against India at Headingley in recent history.
Q8: What was the pitch behavior like during this session?
A: Despite overcast conditions, the Headingley pitch remained a good surface for batting. The ball did swing and seam early on, but England batters adjusted well, and India’s bowlers couldn’t sustain pressure.
Q9: Who are the top bowlers for India in the first innings so far?
A: Jasprit Bumrah remains the most threatening bowler for India, taking the only wicket and consistently troubling both batters. Siraj and Krishna were ineffective and expensive during the second session.
Q10: What’s the match situation after Tea on Day 2?
A: At Tea, England were 107 for 1, trailing India’s total of 471 by 364 runs. Duckett and Pope were unbeaten, setting the stage for a strong reply and keeping England very much in the game.