England seize momentum by restricting India to 471

Day 2: Nair's comeback ends in heartbreak

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 21 JUNE

Arun Nair's much-awaited Test comeback after an eight-year hiatus resulted in a heartbreak after the right-hander fell for a duck, and became a part of the collapse that saw India losing their last seven wickets for 41 runs, including the overnight centurions Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, to be eventually bowled out for 471 shortly after lunch on Day 2 of the opening Test against England at Headingley on Saturday.

A slight drizzle followed the Indian batters and English fielders back to their respective dressing rooms, delaying the start of the England first innings.

Having resumed the post-lunch session at 454/7, India lost the remaining three wickets in no time, with Josh Tongue (4/86) striking with the scalps of Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna.

Earlier, Shoaib Bashir (1/100) and skipper Ben Stokes (4/66) triggered the collapse moments before the lunch interval with the off-spinner getting rid of India's new Test captain Gill, three shy of a brilliant 150.

Resuming the day at a comfortable 359/3, skipper Shubman Gill and Pant began strongly with India piling up 54 runs in the first hour of play, and in the process, Pant getting to his third hundred on English soil and seventh overall of his Test career—the most by an Indian wicketkeeper surpassing MS Dhoni, to pile on the misery on the home bowlers.

Pant made full use of the solid foundation laid by India's top order, launching a counterattack on the second morning with his trademark flair.

With conditions remaining steady and the pitch still offering little to bowlers, both overnight batters began fluently.