Leeds: Day 2 of the opening Test between India and England delivered top-class cricket at Headingley, with a blend of gritty batting and high-quality fast bowling. The day saw Ollie Pope notch up a fighting century for England, but it was Jasprit Bumrah’s late burst — especially his final over — that left pundits and fans in awe.
Speaking on Match Centre Live, cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted Bumrah’s match-defining impact and drew parallels with legendary New Zealand pacer Sir Richard Hadlee.
“What stood out for me wasn’t just Pope’s century, but also Bumrah’s last over of the day. That dismissal of Harry Brook was sheer brilliance. He held back the short ball all innings and then produced it at the perfect moment. It caught Brook completely off guard. That’s the genius of Bumrah — the ability to plan and execute a dismissal with surgical precision,” Manjrekar explained.
He added:
“In a match where four centuries have been scored, Bumrah still stands out as the most influential bowler. He has that same aura Richard Hadlee had — every time he came on, you felt something would happen. Bumrah’s control, his variety, and his temperament are extraordinary. He’s a master of his craft.”
Earlier in the day, India’s innings was anchored by a 209-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, which tilted momentum in the visitors’ favour.
Manjrekar was impressed with their composure and fluency:
“They made it look effortless. The running between the wickets, the clean strokeplay — they were in complete control. Against Ben Stokes, they dialled it up a notch, but for most of the innings, it looked like they were in cruise control. More importantly, their chemistry at the crease is something that could serve Indian cricket well in the years ahead.”
On Ollie Pope’s century, Manjrekar acknowledged its grit and value:
“His numbers might not always jump off the page, but this was a high-quality innings. He came out with positive intent and stayed committed to his plan. Scoring a hundred against a bowling attack that includes Bumrah is no small feat. He’ll take great pride in this knock.”
As the Test moves into Day 3, India hold the upper hand — but with conditions still favourable for batting, the match remains finely poised.
