On Day 2 of the first Test at Headingley, former India head coach Ravi Shastri brought comic relief to a tense session by briefly turning into an "umpire" from the commentary box. The moment came during a lively spell of bowling when Mohammed Siraj rapped Joe Root on the pads, leading to umpire Paul Reiffel raising his finger. The Indian team erupted in celebration, with Shubman Gill charging in and Siraj pumping his fists — a scene that brought back memories of Virat Kohli’s animated captaincy.
However, the drama didn’t end there. Root immediately reviewed the decision. The ball-tracking showed the delivery narrowly missing leg stump, and the decision was overturned. As the broadcast played the review, the camera caught Shastri mimicking the umpire’s gesture — his finger raised in mock judgment. The scene sparked laughter in the commentary box, with Ian Ward jokingly calling him “Umpire Ravi Shastri.”
Reflecting on the incident, Shastri said with a smile, “It was Joe Root, after all. You can see how much that wicket meant to India. Even my hand went up in the box. He’s made India pay so many times.” He added with a chuckle, “I’ve watched Root bat for years as coach. He keeps getting those hundreds. So even from behind the umpire, my finger went up!”
Root didn’t last much longer, though. He was eventually dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, edging to slip. Soon after, Harry Brook was handed a lucky escape when his mistimed pull off Bumrah — caught by Siraj — was ruled a no-ball, denying India a fourth wicket late in the day.
At stumps, England were 209 for 3, still 262 runs behind India’s first-innings total of 471. Ollie Pope stood tall with a gritty unbeaten century, while Brook was yet to score. Bumrah was India’s only wicket-taker, delivering a relentless spell that kept the visitors in the contest.
Earlier in the day, India’s batting display was dominated by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. Pant, especially, entertained with his typical attacking flair, helping India to a formidable total.
Despite India's upper hand, England’s spirited reply — led by Pope and moments of fortune — ensured the contest remained finely poised.
