Team India established total dominance on Day 2 of the second Test against England, constructing a towering first-innings score of 587 through a record double century by Shubman Gill and substantial inputs from the lower middle order. With the match approaching Day 3, England is left on the back foot, struggling at 77 for 3 and still needing 510 runs more.
Gill’s Masterclass Anchors India
Shubman Gill was the unequivocal hero of the day. The young Indian skipper played a marathon innings of 269 runs, the highest individual Test score by an Indian batsman on English soil. His innings, full of sheer timing, careful shot choice, and unrelenting concentration, came from 387 balls and contained 30 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Gill put together two important partnerships-one of 203 with Ravindra Jadeja (89) and the other 144 for Washington Sundar (42)—which helped India come back from 211 for 5 and accumulate a mountain of runs. His serene and collected leadership at the wicket laid the platform for India’s strong position.
Tensions on the Field
The day was not without drama. A heated word exchange between Jadeja and England captain Ben Stokes soured mid-innings. Stokes seemed to have confronted Jadeja for allegedly muddying the pitch, but the situation didn’t escalate into more than angry words. Jadeja shrugged it off later as just gamesmanship on the field and went on batting in confidence.
Indian Bowlers Strike Early
With momentum firmly on their side, India’s bowlers were intent on action. Akash Deep on his Test debut made an instant impression, dismissing both Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope off the same over. Mohammed Siraj joined the party by getting rid of Zak Crawley, leaving England reeling at 25 for 3 in the first eight overs.
England’s hopes now lie with Joe Root (18 not out) and Harry Brook (30 not out), who did stabilize the innings through an unresolved 52-run stand. But the deficit is still huge, and England’s path to recovery is difficult.
Day 3 Outlook
With a new morning and potential early movement in the air, India will be looking to take swift wickets to get England on the back foot and hopefully enforce the follow-on. The pitch should deteriorate further, providing the spinners such as Jadeja and Ashwin with more support as the game wears on.
For England, survival is the top priority. Harry Brook and Joe Root have to forge a big partnership to guide the team into safety. Any early losses may have the side crumbling under pressure, with India able to win by an innings.
Match Summary So Far:
India 1st Innings: 587 all out (Sundar 42, Jadeja 89, Gill 269)
England 1st Innings: 77/3 at stumps (Brook 30*, Root 18*)
India lead by: 510 runs
Series Status: England lead 1-0 in the five-match series
With India in the lead, Day 3 will be a turning point. England will have to dig deep, while India will try hard to level the series.
