The IND vs ENG Live Score from Headingley promises a captivating second day as India, resuming at a formidable 359/3, looks to build a monumental first-innings total against England. Fresh from their stunning centuries on Day 1, captain Shubman Gill (127*) and vice-captain Rishabh Pant (65*) are at the crease, poised to inflict further misery on a depleted English bowling attack.
India’s young Test team delivered a powerful statement on Friday, showcasing composure and flair that belied the recent retirements of seasoned stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sent in to bat by England skipper Ben Stokes, India seized control from the outset, with Gill and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal carving out commanding centuries.
Gill and Pant Eyeing Colossal Total and Milestones
As Day 2 begins, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to not only continue their run-scoring spree but also potentially reach significant individual milestones.
Shubman Gill’s Ascent: Shubman Gill, marking his Test captaincy debut with an unbeaten 127, displayed exceptional maturity and stroke-making. This century is his sixth in Test cricket and remarkably, his first outside Asia. His previous highest score outside the subcontinent was 91 against Australia in Brisbane in 2021, showcasing his significant growth and adaptability. He also became only the fifth Indian batter to score a century on Test captaincy debut, joining an elite list that includes legends like Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Virat Kohli. With his 107th run, Gill also surpassed 2,000 Test runs in his 60th innings, further solidifying his position as a cornerstone of India’s new-look Test side. His partnership with Jaiswal, followed by the aggressive stand with Rishabh Pant, underscored India’s batting depth and intent in this crucial first Test of the five-match series. The 25-year-old Gill’s century was a special moment, cementing his status as a key figure in India’s new era. IND vs ENG Live Score
Rishabh Pant’s Impact: Rishabh Pant, known for his audacious counter-attacking style, continued his superb form. His unbeaten 65, including a daring six off Chris Woakes in the final over of Day 1, encapsulated India’s burgeoning confidence. Pant also crossed the 3,000 Test runs milestone during his innings, having played 76 innings in 44 matches with an impressive average of over 42 and six centuries to his name. His strike rate of 73.63 in Tests underlines his ability to change the complexion of a game rapidly. With two sixes during his innings, Pant also surpassed Rohit Sharma to set a new record for most sixes in World Test Championship (WTC) history, now with 58 sixes in just 35 matches. The unbroken 138-run partnership between Gill and Pant has left England’s bowlers searching for answers on what has proved to be a good batting surface.
Day 2 Challenges: Weather and Pitch Dynamics
While Day 1 at Headingley saw bright skies and a largely docile pitch, the weather forecast for Saturday, June 21, introduces a significant variable. IND vs ENG Live Score
Weather Forecast (Headingley, June 21, 2025):
- Morning: Expected to be partly sunny and warm, with temperatures around 24°C (74°F) and highs near 29°C (83°F). Play is expected to start on time at 11 am local, with a low (~5%) chance of morning showers.
- Afternoon & Evening: Thunderstorms are expected to move in post-lunch, especially between 2-4 pm local time, carrying risks of heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds. Showers could drop around 7-8 mm of rain, with a 44-88% chance of precipitation in the final session, potentially halting play early. A thunderstorm warning is active from 3 pm onwards, suggesting the third session may be severely curtailed or even washed out. IND vs ENG Live Score
- Impact: Heavy cloud cover and moisture will significantly boost swing, making the afternoon session a crucial window for England’s pace battery. Intermittent interruptions are highly likely.
Pitch Report for Day 2: The Headingley surface, which usually has a healthy green cover and is known to support seam and swing bowling, played quite flat on Day 1. The chief pitch curator had expected it to aid seamers in the first two days, but hot and dry conditions nullified that. For Day 2, despite the rain forecast, the pitch is still largely expected to remain good for batting, particularly in the morning session. However, if the forecasted heavy cloud cover and moisture materialize, the Dukes ball might seam more, offering much-needed assistance to England’s bowlers. This shift in conditions could test India’s lower order, who will need to navigate any newfound movement. The pitch generally tends to settle down by Day 3, with cracks potentially developing to assist spinners later in the match. IND vs ENG Live Score
England’s Uphill Battle
England’s bowling attack struggled to make inroads on Day 1. With veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad missing, and quicks Jofra Archer and Mark Wood out with injuries, their attack (Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and debutant Shoaib Bashir) lacked bite. Captain Ben Stokes was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, including the crucial one of Jaiswal. Despite a tough opening day, England bowling coach Tim Southee has promised a fightback. Their strategy for Day 2 will heavily rely on exploiting any assistance the weather provides. Early breakthroughs with the new ball will be paramount to prevent India from piling on an even bigger first-innings score, potentially in excess of 500, which could effectively bat England out of the game.
Day 1 Recap: Foundations Laid and Records Broken
The foundation for India’s strong position was laid by an impressive 91-run opening partnership between KL Rahul (42) and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Although Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan (0) fell before lunch, Jaiswal’s elegant 101, his fifth Test century, ensured India maintained momentum. Jaiswal’s hundred, coming off 144 balls with 16 boundaries, was particularly significant, making him a rare Indian to score centuries on debut and in his first Tests in Australia and England. His dismissal to a sharp delivery from Stokes didn’t deter India’s charge as Gill and Pant took over. IND vs ENG Live Score
As play resumes on Day 2, all eyes will be on Gill and Pant to convert their starts into even bigger scores and push India towards a commanding total that could effectively bat England out of the game. The IND vs ENG Live Score updates will be crucial as this fascinating contest unfolds, with weather playing a potential spoiler.
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