Gill-Pant stand power India past 450, but Eng hit back
Leeds, June 21 (UNI) Rishabh Pant lit up Headingley with a brilliant counterattacking century, his seventh in Test cricket, as India powered their way past 450 on Day 2, only to see England claw back with late wickets.
At lunch, India stood at 454 for 7 in 108.4 overs, after England chose to field on the opening morning of the 1st Test.
India resumed Day 2 in full control, and the first 90 minutes belonged entirely to the visitors. Pant and Shubman Gill continued from where they left off on Day 1, adding quick runs with flair and purpose. The 4th-wicket stand between them swelled to 209, setting the tone for India's dominance.
Pant, ever the showman, was at his mischievous best — treating the Headingley spectators to a mix of audacious strokeplay and pure theatre. He brought up his century with a six over wide midwicket off Shoaib Bashir, then marked it with a celebratory somersault. It was his third century in England and his sixth as a wicketkeeper — equalling MS Dhoni's record. No other Indian keeper-batsman has scored more than one hundred in England.
Pant's century came off 146 balls and featured 10 fours and 6 sixes, the most in any of his Test tons.
However, just as India looked set to bat England out of the contest, the morning ended in a flurry of wickets. Shubman Gill fell for a classy 147, skying Bashir to deep square leg, ending the 209-run partnership. Moments later, Karun Nair, making a long-awaited return after eight years, was dismissed for a duck, brilliantly caught by Ollie Pope at cover.
Pant's dismissal was laced with drama — first surviving a chaotic misbalance on 124, then eventually falling LBW to Josh Tongue after misjudging a ball he didn't offer a shot to, batting on 134. India burned a review, but umpire Paul Reiffel's decision stood.
Shardul Thakur compounded the collapse by edging Ben Stokes behind just before the break. Stokes, leading by example yet again, claimed 2 wickets in the session and has 4 for 66 — the standout bowler for England so far.
At the break, RA Jadeja was unbeaten on 2, with India seven down and needing to rebuild once again.
Match Summary at Lunch, Day 2
India: 454/7 in 108.4 overs (CRR: 4.17)
Top Scorers: Shubman Gill 147, Rishabh Pant 134
England's Best: Ben Stokes 4/66
4th Wicket Partnership: 209 runs (Gill-Pant)
England won the toss and chose to field
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