IND vs ENG: Jasprit Bumrah’s Fiery Spell and Viral Memes Steal the Show on Day 2
In a captivating display of pace and precision, Jasprit Bumrah turned Day 2 of the India vs England 1st Test at Headingley into a personal masterclass, dismantling England’s top order and setting the internet ablaze with a storm of hilarious memes. While India’s imposing first-innings total of 471 set the tone, it was Bumrah’s relentless aggression and England’s gritty fightback that defined a day of high drama under moody Yorkshire skies.
England’s response was anchored by Ollie Pope, who battled through a fiery opening burst from Bumrah to score an unbeaten 100. Pope’s innings was a mix of skill and sheer luck—he survived a close lbw shout, was dropped twice by the Indian fielders, and edged several deliveries that miraculously fell short of the slip cordon. Each near-miss had the Headingley crowd on edge, while social media erupted with memes mocking India’s fielding lapses and labeling Pope as the ‘luckiest man alive.’
Yet, the day undeniably belonged to Bumrah, who operated as a one-man wrecking ball. The Indian pacer struck early, removing Zak Crawley in the very first over with a searing delivery that nipped back to clip the off-stump. He then shattered Ben Duckett’s stumps with a vicious inswinger, before inducing an edge from England’s talisman Joe Root to leave the hosts reeling. Bumrah’s figures of 3 for 40 could have been even better, but drama peaked in the final over when he dismissed Harry Brook—only for the wicket to be disallowed due to a no-ball. Social media exploded with reactions, comparing Bumrah’s overstep to ‘a heartbreak in a Shakespearean tragedy’ and flooding timelines with gifs of unfinished revenge sagas.
Under overcast conditions, Headingley witnessed a classic Test match battle—fortunes swung with every session, as England fought to stay afloat at 218 for 5 by stumps. Beyond the on-field action, Bumrah’s larger-than-life presence dominated the digital space. Memes ranged from animations of him as a ‘fire-breathing dragon’ to quips about Indian fielders needing ‘catching lessons.’ One viral post even joked that Bumrah’s no-ball was ‘the plot twist no one saw coming.’
As we head into Day 3, the match hangs in a delicate balance. Will Bumrah continue his rampage and inspire India to a commanding position? Or can Pope and the remaining English batsmen stage a comeback? One thing is certain—Jasprit Bumrah has not only lit up the field with his unplayable bowling but has also broken the internet with his meme-worthy moments. Stay tuned for more action, drama, and perhaps, a few more laughs!