But so emphatically did England turn the tables on India, that for most part of day three of the first Test here in Headingley, it was the visitors — despite a rejuvenating, cool breeze blowing across the ground — who resembled a pack of tired cyclists staring at a hulking mountain.

England, from an overnight 209 for three, fought India to a standstill, ending its first essay just six runs adrift. For the remaining two days, the forecast is for grey skies. That means India has to bat well, both for time and runs.

By close on Sunday (June 22, 2025), India showed the stomach for a fight by reaching 90 for two, propelled by a silken K.L. Rahul knock (47 batting, 75b, 7×4). The opening session on Monday (June 23, 2025) may well decide who cracks open the contest.

If Harry Brook (99, 112b, 11×4, 2×6) and Jamie Smith (40, 52b, 5×4, 1×6) had been more game aware, England could have really hurt India. Both batters fell to the short-ball ploy from Prasidh Krishna by getting caught in the deep, made worse by the fact that the strategy was visible in plain sight.