Fri Jul 25 07:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
After posting a first innings total of 358, India struggled on Day 2 of the ongoing test match against England. England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, dominated with a 166-run partnership, capitalizing on favorable batting conditions and inconsistent bowling from the Indian pace attack. While weather conditions (cloud cover in the morning favouring England’s bowlers, sunshine in the afternoon favouring England’s batsmen) played a role, India’s bowlers also had a poor showing, lacking consistency, pace, and penetration. Jasprit Bumrah had an off-day, while debutant Anshul Kamboj and Mohammed Siraj were ineffective. Ravindra Jadeja managed to pick up Crawley’s wicket and Kamboj Duckett’s, but overall, India looked deflated. England’s openers displayed better shot selection and capitalized on loose deliveries. Crawley (84) and Duckett (94) both missed out on centuries, but England ended the day at 225/2, trailing by 153 runs, and in a strong position. Indian coaches were seen inspecting the pitch at the end of the day, indicating concerns about their performance and the changing conditions.
**News Article:**
**England Dominate Day 2, Expose India’s Bowling Woes at Old Trafford**
**Manchester, UK** – England seized control on Day 2 of the Test match against India at Old Trafford, posting a formidable 225/2 by the close of play, trailing India by just 153 runs. A dominant 166-run opening partnership between Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) exposed significant flaws in the Indian bowling attack, leaving the hosts firmly in command.
While changing weather conditions, including cloud cover in the morning and bright sunshine in the afternoon, appeared to influence the game, India’s bowlers failed to capitalize, delivering what can only be described as a lackluster performance.
“Our pacers didn’t get favourable conditions, but they didn’t help their cause by having their worst day of the tour,” said a source close to the Indian team.
Star bowler Jasprit Bumrah was uncharacteristically inconsistent, lacking his usual pace and accuracy. Debutant Anshul Kamboj failed to impress, while Mohammed Siraj appeared tired and lacked sting. Shardul Thakur also proved ineffective.
England’s openers, in stark contrast, displayed discipline and capitalized on loose deliveries. Both Crawley and Duckett punished errant bowling, missing their centuries, but firmly establishing England’s dominance. Crawley was dismissed by Jadeja while Duckett was out by Kamboj.
By the end of the day, India’s first innings total of 358 appeared insufficient.
At one point, the England openers looked so comfortable that captain Shubman Gill turned to Ravindra Jadeja early in the innings, but even he initially faced aggression from Crawley who dispatched his second ball for a six.
The Indian team’s coaches, Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak, were observed inspecting the pitch at the end of the day, suggesting concerns about the playing surface and the team’s performance. India will need a dramatic turnaround on Day 3 to regain control of the match.
First Piper 