Rishabh Pant’s brilliant 178-ball 134 lit up Day 2 of the first Test in Leeds, but England staged a fierce fightback to restrict India to 471 in their first innings. The hosts claimed seven Indian wickets for just 41 runs in a dramatic post-lunch collapse, clawing their way back into the contest after a dominant start by the visitors. India began the day in a commanding position at 359 for 3, with Shubman Gill and Pant well-set at the crease. However, it was England who struck the first blow of the morning. Shoaib Bashir provided the breakthrough, dismissing Gill for a majestic 147. After piling on an imposing first-innings total of 471, India will aim to bowl England out for 271 or fewer to enforce the follow-on. This 200-run cushion, the minimum lead required to impose a follow-on in Test cricket, places considerable pressure on England’s batting unit. Should India succeed in dismissing the hosts within this threshold, England would be required to bat again immediately in the third innings of the match. In such a scenario, England’s task would shift from merely surviving to erasing the deficit and attempting to build a lead. The bigger the second-innings total they can post, the more challenging the fourth-innings target will become for the visitors. However, enforcing the follow-on is a strategic decision, often influenced by pitch conditions, weather forecasts, and workload management of bowlers. Given India's recent struggles with player injuries and the need to manage their fast bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning from a back issue, the team management may weigh their options carefully even if the opportunity arises. England, on the other hand, must rally with the bat to avoid the possibility altogether. Their goal in the first innings is clear: reach or surpass 272 to ensure they cannot be asked to follow-on. Anything short of that will open the door for India to tighten their grip on the match. With the Headingley surface already showing signs of variable bounce and turn, batting in the fourth innings could be a considerable challenge. Should England be forced to bat again immediately, their ability to mount a significant total will be crucial in setting up a competitive finish.
21 June,2025 11:26 PM IST | Headingley (UK) | mid-day online correspondentIndia pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered an early breakthrough, but England’s Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope weathered the storm to keep their side in contention on Day 2 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. At tea, England reached 107 for 1 in response to India’s imposing 471, still trailing by 364 runs but recovering steadily from an early setback. Bumrah, operating under overcast skies and under the Headingley floodlights, produced a beauty with the final ball of the opening over that angled in and then seamed away to catch Zak Crawley’s outside edge. Karun Nair completed a sharp catch at first slip to provide India with an early breakthrough and further burnish Bumrah’s reputation as a first-over menace. With that wicket, Bumrah moved ahead of South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Australia’s Mitchell Starc for the most first-over wickets in Tests since 2021. The Indian pacer now leads the elite list with eight wickets in the opening over across the last four years. Rabada and Starc remain tied with seven each, while West Indies’ Kemar Roach follows with six. India’s bowling effort followed an eventful batting display earlier in the day. Resuming on 359 for 3, the visitors had seemed destined to post a total well in excess of 500. With Rishabh Pant joining Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as the third centurion of the innings, India appeared firmly in control. Pant scored a commanding 134, Jaiswal contributed 101, and Gill led the way with a composed 147. However, a sudden collapse across both sides of the lunch interval saw India lose seven wickets for just 41 runs in under 12 overs. England’s bowlers, led by captain Ben Stokes, seized the opportunity. Stokes bowled a disciplined spell, finishing with 4 for 66 in 20 overs, while pacer Josh Tongue mopped up the tail to claim 4 for 86. In response, England’s top order faced a stiff challenge against Bumrah’s precision. The pacer returned figures of 1 for 21 in five overs in his opening spell, but with India mindful of his recent back issues, he was used sparingly thereafter. England could have been two down early, but Ravindra Jadeja put down a regulation catch at backward point when Duckett, on 15, edged a delivery off Bumrah. Duckett went on to complete a gritty half-century, sweeping Jadeja for his eighth boundary, reaching the mark in 68 balls. Pope, fresh off a 171 against Zimbabwe, offered solid support, surviving a close lbw shout on 34 against Mohammed Siraj.
21 June,2025 10:26 PM IST | Headingley (UK) | mid-day online correspondentBangladesh narrowly missed out on a rare overseas Test victory as the rain-affected series opener against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium ended in a draw on Saturday. Despite holding a 251-run lead on the final day and a 50-over window available to force a result, Bangladesh chose a conservative route. Overnight rain and a wet outfield delayed play on Day 5, reducing the morning session to just 80 minutes. With the match delicately poised, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to press on for a personal milestone, his second century of the match, rather than pushing aggressively for a win. He eventually declared Bangladesh’s second innings closed at 285 for 6, but not before nearly an hour of valuable time had been consumed and momentum had shifted. Shanto’s feat was undeniably historic, he became just the 15th player in Test history to score centuries in both innings of a match on two separate occasions, having previously done so against Afghanistan in 2023. Yet, the timing of his declaration will be debated, especially as Bangladesh sought only its second Test win over Sri Lanka in 27 encounters. Sri Lanka, set a target of 296, were put under pressure briefly but never found themselves in serious peril. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan delivered a beauty to dismiss first-innings centurion Pathum Nissanka, while Taijul Islam made vital breakthroughs, removing Lahiru Udara, Angelo Mathews, and Dinesh Chandimal. However, the pitch offered little assistance, and the hosts comfortably played out the remaining overs to secure a draw. "We wanted to declare early but rain forced us to rethink," Shanto said. "Taijul bowled really well and so did Nayeem. He hasn't had enough chances in the big stage, but he showed what a good bowler he is." The match also marked an emotional farewell for Mathews, who played his final Test innings, falling for eight. Bangladesh players offered heartfelt tributes as the veteran all-rounder exited the field. A former captain, Mathews led Sri Lanka to a historic Test series win in England in 2014 and featured in 119 Tests. "It's sad to walk away but the love I have received from everyone is truly amazing," he said. "The best memory for me is winning the test series in England. Then of course we beat Australia 3-0 in 2016. Not often you whitewash the Aussies in a test series," Mathews added. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva praised Mathews as 'a superb player and a leader' admitting, 'those shoes are big shoes to fill'. As the teams head to Colombo for the second Test beginning June 25, Sri Lanka must confront key questions: Who replaces Mathews in the middle order? And should Prabath Jayasuriya, who struggled with just one wicket, retain his place? For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s return from illness provides a timely boost, especially on spin-friendly surfaces.
21 June,2025 09:51 PM IST | Galle | mid-day online correspondentIn an unusual sight, a snake charmer was spotted among the spectators on Saturday during the ongoing Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Test at the Galle International Stadium. The man was seen seated calmly on the ground with not one, but two snakes, seemingly unbothered by the crowd or the intensity of the match. Holding one of the reptiles casually in his hand, the snake charmer became an unexpected highlight of Day 5’s action-packed scenes in Galle. To add to the spectacle, a monkey also made an appearance in the same frame, turning the Test match into an oddly memorable episode of real-time wildlife meets red-ball cricket. A Snake Charmer in Galle watching Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh with Snakes and Monkey. pic.twitter.com/bcXmA6caUh — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 21, 2025 Sri Lanka is currently hosting Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, with the first Test having begun earlier this week in Galle. Despite Day 2 being washed out due to rain, Bangladesh made a strong start in the first innings, piling up a formidable total of 495 runs. The batting lineup was anchored by Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored a fluent 148, while senior players Mushfiqur Rahim (163) and Litton Das (90) offered vital contributions. Sri Lanka responded strongly in their first innings, thanks largely to a magnificent 187 from opener Pathum Nissanka, helping the hosts reach 485 and keeping the match evenly poised. However, it was Bangladesh who took control in the third innings, building a solid lead. Najmul Hossain Shanto once again led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 125 in the second innings to put Bangladesh in a commanding position. They declared with a lead that set Sri Lanka a target of 296 runs to chase on the final day. As Sri Lanka began their fourth innings under pressure, Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam struck early, claiming three quick wickets. The hosts found themselves reeling at 48 for 4 on Day 5. However, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva dug in with gritty resistance, steering Sri Lanka to safety as the match eventually ended in a hard-fought draw. The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to take place in Colombo from June 25 to 29. Following the conclusion of the red-ball leg, the two teams will gear up for a three-match ODI series starting July 2, followed by a T20I series beginning July 10.
21 June,2025 07:20 PM IST | Galle | mid-day online correspondentRishabh Pant’s brilliant 178-ball 134 lit up Day 2 of the first Test in Leeds, but England staged a fierce fightback to restrict India to 471 in their first innings. The hosts claimed seven Indian wickets for just 41 runs in a dramatic post-lunch collapse, clawing their way back into the contest after a dominant start by the visitors. India began the day in a commanding position at 359 for 3, with Shubman Gill and Pant well-set at the crease. However, it was England who struck the first blow of the morning. Shoaib Bashir provided the breakthrough, dismissing Gill for a majestic 147. The Indian skipper, who faced 227 balls and struck 19 fours and a six, edged one to the slips, ending what had been a serene and authoritative knock. Gill’s dismissal opened the floodgates. Karun Nair, who had walked in at the fall of the captain, lasted just four balls. He fell without scoring, caught by Ollie Pope off a sharp delivery from Ben Stokes. The England captain continued to lead from the front, striking again just before the lunch interval. He removed Shardul Thakur for 1, caught behind, picking up his fourth wicket of the match and further tilting the balance in his side’s favour. Despite the flurry of wickets, Pant stood tall. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter showcased a perfect blend of aggression and composure during his innings. Resuming on 65*, Pant initially curbed his natural instincts, carefully navigating England’s disciplined attack before gradually accelerating. His strokeplay grew increasingly fluent as he inched closer to the milestone. The landmark came in typically flamboyant fashion, Pant launched Shoaib Bashir for a towering six over mid-wicket to bring up his seventh Test hundred. He celebrated with a front flip, drawing thunderous applause from the Headingley crowd. Pant’s 134 was a masterclass in counter-attacking batting and a crucial innings in the context of the match. However, his dismissal triggered a lower-order collapse. England's bowlers, led by Stokes and supported ably by the likes of Bashir and Woakes, tightened the screws. India, who at one point looked set for a total well in excess of 500, lost their last few wickets in quick succession. By the time the innings folded at 471, England had wrested back some control. The morning had belonged to India, but the hosts ensured the momentum swung their way heading into the second half of the match.
21 June,2025 06:44 PM IST | Headingley (UK) | mid-day online correspondentNot long ago, India’s Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant grabbed headlines with his now-viral celebration, an impeccably executed front flip, following a blistering 61-ball century in IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter brought that signature move back on Saturday at Headingley, moments after reaching his 146-ball Test hundred in emphatic fashion, launching England spinner Shoaib Bashir for a towering six. WHAT A KNOCK, WHAT A CELEBRATION! 💪💯2018, 2021 & now 2025 - 𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙃𝘼𝘽𝙃-𝙋𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙄 continues on the English soil! 💪👉 7th Test century👉 4th vs ENG in Tests👉 3rd in ENG in Tests#ENGvIND 1st Test, Day 2 | Streaming LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/PLSZ49Mrj4… pic.twitter.com/MUySzy7Jr8 — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 21, 2025 The left-hander, who resumed his innings on 65*, wasted no time in asserting his authority as he drove a fine-leg boundary off Brydon Carse to get going. He unleashed a flurry of boundaries against Carse before shifting his focus to spinner Bashir. Pant overtook the legendary MS Dhoni, who had held the record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. Dhoni had scored six Test hundreds across 90 matches, while Pant now boasts seven centuries in just 44 appearances. This century also marked Pant’s third in English conditions, a feat unmatched by any overseas wicketkeeper. The achievement not only highlights his adaptability but also cements his reputation as one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket today. In doing so, Pant joined the illustrious company of Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, Matt Prior, and BJ Watling, all of whom share the fourth position for most Test centuries by a wicketkeeper globally. Pant’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. On Day 1, he announced his intent early, dispatching a Ben Stokes delivery for a boundary down the ground on just his second ball. But what followed was an unusually patient stretch, as he curbed his attacking instincts, particularly against Bashir, from whom he scored only 16 runs off his first 44 deliveries. Earlier on Day 1, India seized control at all times, courtesy of sublime centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who steered India to a commanding 359/3 at stumps after being asked to bat first under overcast conditions. India weathered an early setback but gradually took control of the proceedings, with openers Jaiswal and KL Rahul having stitched a steady 91-run stand. However, England clawed back with two quick wickets just before lunch, Rahul fell for 42, followed closely by debutant B Sai Sudharsan, who was dismissed without scoring. With India briefly unsettled at 92/2, the onus fell on Jaiswal and the newly appointed Test captain, Gill, to steady the innings. The duo responded in authoritative fashion, stitching together a vital 129-run partnership for the third wicket.
21 June,2025 05:29 PM IST | Headingley (UK) | mid-day online correspondentRishabh Pant etched his name into the record books on Day 2 of the first Test against England at Headingley to register the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. The left-hander, who resumed his innings on 65*, wasted no time in asserting his authority as he drove a fine-leg boundary off Brydon Carse to get going. Pant unleashed a flurry of boundaries against Carse before shifting his focus to spinner Shoaib Bashir. Demonstrating both flair and power, Pant lofted Bashir for a four and then launched a towering six into the stands to edge closer to a well-deserved century. With that shot, Pant overtook the legendary MS Dhoni, who had held the record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. Dhoni had scored six Test hundreds across 90 matches, while Pant now boasts seven centuries in just 44 appearances. This century also marked Pant’s third in English conditions, a feat unmatched by any overseas wicketkeeper. The achievement not only highlights his adaptability but also cements his reputation as one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket today. In doing so, Pant joined the illustrious company of Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, Matt Prior, and BJ Watling, all of whom share the fourth position for most Test centuries by a wicketkeeper globally. Pant’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. On Day 1, he announced his intent early, dispatching a Ben Stokes delivery for a boundary down the ground on just his second ball. But what followed was an unusually patient stretch, as he curbed his attacking instincts, particularly against Bashir, from whom he scored only 16 runs off his first 44 deliveries. It wasn’t until his 48th ball that he found another boundary, an edged four off Chris Woakes. After seeing out a challenging spell, Pant switched gears. He took the attack to Bashir, pulling him for a four and then dancing down the track to loft him for a six. He brought up his fifty off 91 balls, displaying the maturity that has elevated his game in recent years. During the knock, he also crossed the 3000-run milestone in Test cricket.
21 June,2025 05:05 PM IST | Headingley (UK) | mid-day online correspondentBangladesh edged ahead of Sri Lanka on day four of the first Test in Galle on Friday, extending their lead to 187 runs with seven wickets in hand. The visitors finished at 177-3 after a strong partnership of 68 between opener Shadman Islam and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. All-rounder Milan Rathnayake dismissed Shadman for 76 but veteran campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim, fresh off a first-innings century, joined his captain to steady the innings. The duo put on an unbroken 49-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put their side in the driver’s seat heading into the final day. Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Hasan earlier took five wickets (5-121) to halt Sri Lanka’s first-innings charge, with the visitors dismissed for 485 after lunch to trail by 10 runs. Nayeem was well supported by Hasan Mahmud, who finished with 3-74. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 June,2025 06:57 AM IST | Galle | AFPMarnus Labuschagne has been dropped and injured Steve Smith has been ruled out of the Australia lineup for next week’s series-opening cricket Test against the West Indies. Cricket Australia on Friday said Smith would miss the opening match of the three-Test series because of a finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last weekend at Lord’s. He is expected to be fit for the second Test against the West Indies. Chief selector George Bailey said teenage opener Sam Konstas and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis would replace Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. He said Smith needed more time for a wound to heal and he’d be reassessed after an another week. “We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,” Bailey said. “We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers.” The 19-year-old Konstas has only played two Tests, bursting onto the scene with an almost run-a-ball 60 against India in the Boxing Day test in Melbourne last December. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 June,2025 06:56 AM IST | Bridgetown (Barbados) | AP | PTIFormer India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was full of praise for Yashasvi Jaiswal after the young opener produced a masterful century on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley. Speaking on JioHotstar after the opening session, Manjrekar said Jaiswal’s performance was no surprise, calling him “India’s best batter in Australia” and a player with a “solid Test match technique.” “This performance doesn’t surprise me at all,” Manjrekar said. Sanjay Manjrekar “Jaiswal was India’s best batter in Australia. He was the only one consistent throughout the series, showing a solid defensive technique — playing close to the body, going deep in the crease, and handling anything pitched up, especially from someone like Mitchell Starc.” Jaiswal’s innings in Leeds was a continuation of that assured form. On a warm afternoon in Yorkshire, he compiled a fluent 101, becoming the first Indian batter to score centuries in his debut Tests in both Australia and England. His knock was a symphony of control and elegance, featuring crisp off-side strokeplay — only 9 of his first 100 runs came on the leg side. Jaiswal shared a crucial 123-run stand with new Test skipper Shubman Gill, who made a statement of his own, scoring his fastest Test fifty (off just 56 balls) in his first innings as captain. Gill’s positive intent helped India recover from a double blow just before lunch and pushed the scoring rate comfortably above four runs an over. Manjrekar was equally impressed with Ben Stokes’ captaincy, highlighting how England’s skipper sensed Sudharsan’s vulnerability and went “all in” to exploit it. “This is what makes this series exciting. Stokes adds 20 per cent more winning chances to England just by how he leads,” he said. Jaiswal reached his hundred with back-to-back boundaries off Brydon Carse, followed by a quick single — bringing out a triumphant helmet-off celebration and a roar of satisfaction. His second fifty came in just 48 balls before he fell to Ben Stokes just after Tea. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 June,2025 06:54 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSWhen he scored a brilliant century on his Test debut in Roseau in July 2021 against the West Indies, commentator Ian Bishop famously said, “Remember the name Yashasvi Jaiswal.” Ever since, the left-handed opener has lived up to his reputation and talent. After two of his previous four Test centuries had come overseas, Jaiswal added another ton to his impressive CV in his first-ever Test match in England on Friday. He has given a strong indication that after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, he is the one who can carry forward the legacy of his fellow Mumbai opener. Though he came to England on the back of a massive 712-run aggregate in the five-match home series in early 2024, there was bound to be uncertainty and circumspection when playing a Test here for the first time, and that too at Headingley, which has the reputation of helping seam bowlers initially. So, when India were put in to bat by Ben Stokes, there were doubts about how long the visiting openers would last. But with grit and determination and in lovely sunny weather, openers Jaiswal and the experienced KL Rahul gave India a typical Test match start, with both hardly looking in any apparent trouble. The hangover of the IPL, it seemed, had been overcome. Of course, there was an odd rash stroke by the pugnacious Uttar Pradesh-born Mumbaikar, but he was immediately told to show restraint, first by Rahul and then by skipper Shubman Gill, before he went on to post his fifth century in his 20th Test match. It was obvious that the seniors at the other end had worked wonders for Jaiswal’s confidence. He tends to attempt rash strokes now and then, but with a bit of luck, he got away. He also took two knocks, one in the ribs and the other on the forearm, but did not flinch one bit as the bowlers tried to subdue him. He played some lovely strokes, both off pacers and the lone spinner Shoaib Bashir, and raced away to his century in 144 balls with 16 fours and a six. In the second over after tea though, he departed to a rather casual stroke, and in the bargain got out below 150 after scoring a Test hundred for the first time. 91No. of runs put on by openers Jaiswal and KL Rahul — India’s first 50-plus opening stand at Leeds since 1986
21 June,2025 06:51 AM IST | Leeds | Santosh SuriADVERTISEMENT
