The first Test of India-England series is underway at Headingley, Leeds — and Day 1 belonged entirely to the visitors.

Centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill laid a strong foundation, while Rishabh Pant added fireworks with his trademark aggressive stroke play. However, as Day 2 approaches, the spotlight shifts from the pitch to the skies, with rain and overcast conditions forecast to play a significant role.

Overcast Skies Could Benefit England

After a full day’s play without interruption, Day 2 may not be as fortunate. The weather in Headingley is famously fickle, and forecasts predict persistent cloud cover and a high chance of rain, particularly in the afternoon and evening sessions.

According to AccuWeather, there is an 88% likelihood of rain during the final session, which could impact the flow of the game.

Although play is expected to start on time, it's the conditions — not just the rain — that could present the bigger challenge. The overcast skies are likely to offer plenty of assistance to England’s seamers, potentially swinging the momentum in their favour. For Indian batters, who enjoyed relatively benign conditions on Day 1, this could mean a far more testing examination.

India’s batting unit delivered a commanding performance on the opening day. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul gave the team a solid start with a 91-run opening stand. While Rahul fell for 42, and Sai Sudharsan departed for a duck, Jaiswal remained composed, crafting a brilliant century.

Shubman Gill then took charge, stitching a 129-run partnership with Jaiswal for the third wicket. Following Jaiswal’s departure for 101, Gill and Pant kept the momentum going, putting on an unbeaten 138-run stand for the fourth wicket. At stumps, Gill stood firm on 127*, with Pant providing a counterpunching 65*.

As rain looms and conditions turn trickier, Day 2 is set to offer a very different contest — one where swing, patience, and adaptability may prove just as important as runs on the board.