Pope’s Century Sparks England’s Comeback
Day 2 of the first Test between India and England offered a classic tug-of-war that cricket fans love to see. After an opening day where India piled on a mountain of runs—thanks to Shubman Gill’s commanding 127* and Rishabh Pant’s slick 65*—England found themselves staring at a pretty intimidating total of 471 in India’s first dig. The mood in the England camp could’ve dipped, but Ollie Pope had other plans. Putting his head down, he scored a gritty unbeaten century, giving England a proper foothold at 209 for 3 by stumps.
Pope’s hundred wasn’t just about numbers; it was about intent. While wickets kept tumbling around him, he stayed calm, barely making a false move. He nudged singles, punished the loose ones, and blocked the good balls. With Harry Brook at the other end, even though Brook hadn’t opened his account yet, there was a clear sense that England weren’t going to just fold up and surrender.
Bumrah Breaks Through, India Remain Watchful
India’s bowlers had been waiting for their moment and that came in the form of Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler swung the momentum back with a spell that ticked all the boxes: pace, precision, and pressure. Bumrah knocked over Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root. Watching him steam in, you could actually feel the tension—every ball had the chance to change things.
The Crawley wicket was sharp: Bumrah found a bit of bounce outside off, finding the edge. Duckett fell to classic Bumrah movement, and the big one—Joe Root—got done with a delivery that cut in sharply. Each wicket was a nudge, reminding England that chasing down India’s 471 or even matching it would be no cakewalk.
What struck most was how both teams kept fighting for every inch. Even after India flexed their muscles with that massive score, England didn’t crumble. The resilience in the middle order suggested they’re in for the long haul. India’s bowlers kept the runs in check, making sure England felt the squeeze.
With England still trailing by 262 runs and seven wickets in the bank, the match is teetering. Pope’s century may have put England back in the game, but India’s three wickets mean they’re still slightly ahead. Both camps know that Day 3 can swing the match either way—just the way Test cricket should be.