England overcomes from Rishabh Pant's 134

On the second day, Rishabh Pant dominated Headingley, reaching his seventh Test century, the most by an Indian wicketkeeper, surpassing even MS Dhoni. Along with that, it carried on India's impressive batting display from the first innings of the series' opening Test. However, India was pinned back by England's four wickets in the second half of the session.

Given the base that India had already established, Pant had permission to break free. Since neither the pitch nor the circumstances had changed significantly, both overnight hitters were able to use more fluid strokeplay. In the second over of the day, Shubman Gill got off to a spectacular off drive, but Pant quickly caught up. Brydon Carse was the target of his first three boundaries on Day 2, and as offspinner Shoaib Bashir entered the match, he started to open up more. In the same over, he cut him over midwicket for six after greeting him with a paddle for four. He entered his nineties as a result.

There was a somersault to celebrate the elegant hundred, which was achieved after Bashir took another sweeping six. After a second six in the same over, the long off fielder was teased for a while before palming it over as he was rushing back. With India surpassing the 400-run threshold as well, it indicated Pant's determination to change tactics.

However, the session was a two-part story. India reached 53/0 in the first hour but lost four wickets for 42 runs in the second, giving England a chance to rally.

Gill, on the other hand, was cruising toward the 150-run mark when he mishandled a slog-sweep off Bashir and was caught at deep square leg, three runs short of the mark. A dramatic 209-run stand for the fourth wicket came to an end. And one brought two when a leaping Ollie Pope collected a blob off Stokes at short cover during comeback man Karun Nair's stay. Pant continued to smoke Bashir for another six in the interim, almost losing his attempt to hit another one until Jamie Smith made a mistake.

However, England found some movement with some clouds coming in, so Pant's luck did not last long. Before he was trapped, LBW shouldering arms, that caused a few tense moments. He was also not saved by the review, but it gave England a chance. At lunchtime, Stokes grabbed it with both hands and added Shardul Thakur to his cat.

Brief Scores: India 454/7 (Shubman Gill 147, Rishabh Pant 134, Yashasvi Jaiswal 101; Ben Stokes 4-66) vs. England.