Having put up a formidable total on the board despite losing their last seven wickets for 41 runs, India had archetypally English bowling conditions at their disposal on the second day of the Headingley Test. With spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in their ranks, the visitors were primed to put England under the cosh. However, fielding has been a major letdown as multiple chances have gone to the ground.
For starters, a good length delivery slanting across off-stump had Ben Duckett pushing at it. Yashasvi Jaiswal put in a full length dive to his right and the thick edge just about carried, but he couldn’t latch onto the ball with his one hand and it trickled to the fence for four.
Ravindra Jadeja is as tidy a customer as they come in the field, but even thorough professionals can have an off day sometimes. Duckett stayed inside the line and slashed hard at a length delivery from Bumrah, sans any intention of keeping the shot along the turf. It flew to Jadeja’s right, at a decent height too, but he made a meal of the opportunity and was, unsurprisingly, livid with himself.
☝️ Stokes & Tongue in the wickets
💯 Pope's gutsy century
😮 Jasprit Bumrah bowling seedsWatch the best bits from Day 2 of the 1st Rothesay Test 👇 pic.twitter.com/Sqfn7sFKUq
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 22, 2025
Another chance off Bumrah went abegging when Ollie Pope played a nothing shot, trying to steer a back of a length delivery outside off to the third man area. He was very fortunate to survive as Jaiswal dived to his right and got both hands to the ball only for it to ram into his wrists and fall to the surface.
Then, to a flighted tempter spinning away, Harry Brook offered a defense. There was turn and bounce, which defeated not only his judgement but also that of Rishabh ant behind the sticks as the spliced nick could not be collected.
In the same over by Jadeja, Jamie Smith advanced and flicked. Debutant Sai Sudharsan moved with the batter as well. The ball ended up going to the right when the close-in catcher was budging towards his left, hit his chest and popped out. It was a tough chance and one might be reaching to call it a dropped catch.
Although, the next one ought to have been grasped. Bumrah covered his face with his palms in sheer agony as he was denied a wicket for the umpteenth time in this innings. Root dabbed and gave Jaiswal catching practice, which the youngster refused to receive. The slip cordon watched on helplessly as India’s day of shambolic groundwork continued unabated, with England crossing 450 runs as a direct consequence in reply to India’s 471.
