India made a great statement in the initial test of its 2025 England tour in Headingley, commanding to score a total of 471 runs in their first innings.
Major Indian batting performance sets tone in headingley
Under the leadership of Captain Shubman Gill’s royal 147 and Rishabh Pant’s explosive 134, visitors made a batting -friendly surface and a large -scale uncertain English bowling performance. Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a great start with a confident centenary (159 runs), while KL Rahul gave early stability with 42. The fourth-fourth-fourth-wicket partnership between Gill and Pant ended the English attack, especially reduced India to 92/2 after early failures. However, once the stand was broken, the lower order quickly uprooted, lost seven wickets for only 41 runs. Josh was a pickle of the tongue and Ben Stokes bowlers, each taking four wickets, while Shoaib Bashir and Bridan Cars pasted with an apis. Extra contributed a significant 31 runs to the total of India.
England Ben Docket and Oli Fight with Pope
Despite losing Zak Crolly in the over for Jasprit Bumrah Outswinger long ago, England showed flexibility during the later session. Ben Docket anchored the innings with a stylish 62, shared well with Oli Pope, unbeaten at 64. The pair added 122 runs for the second wicket and absorbed the initial pressure with controlled stroke play, targeting India’s third and fourth seams. Joe Root, alert at the crease at 7*, reached around 140/2 of the second 2 -day session with England with the Pope. Bumrah was the only successful bowler from India, who rejected both openers with sharp delivery. However, 331 runs with England still have the advantage of scoreboard pressure, the day 3 promises to be important in shaping the competition.
Disappointment as Sharadul Thakur remains unused with mounts ball
A stunning point during England’s innings was the non-use of all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who is yet to bowl the same bowling after two full sessions of the game. Despite being listed in the playing XI as a pace-bouling option, Shardul was ignored in favor of Bumrah, Siraj and Prasad Krishna. The decision raised eyebrows among enthusiasts and supervisors of cricket, especially Krishna scored in his brief five -over spell in 6.58 runs per over. Social media was free with questions raising questions on the argument behind India’s bowling strategy. Many reported that on the surface offering decent carry, Thakur’s ability to move the ball and break the partnership may be a valuable asset. There is a possibility of watching reverse swing with day 3 and wearing on the pitch, it remains to be seen if Captain Gill has brought Thakur into the attack.
Here’s how fans reacted:
If he does not bowl, then what is the matter of taking Shardul Thakur, nothing with the bat. Nitish Reddy must have contributed a lot
– Abhishek ✨ (@Imabhishek7_) June 21, 2025
Bring Shardul Thakur …
– Irfan Pathan (@irfanpathan) June 21, 2025
If Sharadul is not enough to bowl before Jadeja in England, why is he playing ahead of NKR ??
– Mohit Katta (@Mohantac 1733) June 21, 2025
Shardul Thakur?
Swallow?– Sahil Malhotra (@sahil_malhotra1) June 21, 2025
It is not the whole thing about me to play the role of a bowler and then not trust him, if you have played the role of Sharadul, then you trust him before going to spin and before you go back to Bumrah for another spell.
It also happened in Australia.
– Akash (@akashkumarjha14) June 21, 2025
If you decide to bowl a spinner as a hurry in the innings, Kuldeep would be instead of Shardul, which I suggested the pre match.
– Arcith (@inswinginmenace) June 21, 2025
Why is Shardul Thakur not getting a ball in his hands? Even Ravindra Jadeja has bowled in front of him. Why?
– Vipul 🇮🇳 (@vipul_ESPEAKS) June 21, 2025
India has bowled 34 overs which can be 30% – 50% of the test innings. And yet there is no Shardul Thakur. Perhaps the fifth bowler strategy requires reconsideration?
– Ashish Chandrakor (@C_Aashish) June 21, 2025
Even Bharat Arun is surprised in the commentary box why Shardul Thakur has not bowled yet. He is saying that Shardul’s strength is a new ball, the more the ball becomes old, it will not be more deadly.
– Maddy (@224notout) June 21, 2025
Not a single over for Shardul Thakur, why is he not playing, then why not NKR?
– R1SHAB🇮🇳 (@RISHABGALT) June 21, 2025
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