The first Test between England and India in Leeds saw significant developments through Day Two and the opening session of Day Three, with both teams vying for control. India concluded their first innings at 471 runs from 113 overs, having started Day Two at 359/3. Key contributions came from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who scored 147 and 134 respectively. For England, Captain Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue were the standout bowlers, each claiming four wickets, while Bashir and Carse secured one each.

In response to India's formidable total, England's first innings began with an early setback as Zak Crawley was dismissed for just 4 runs by Jasprit Bumrah. However, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope mounted a strong counter-attack, establishing a rapid 100-run partnership from just 126 balls, playing with an ODI-like tempo. Duckett reached his half-century from 68 balls. At the close of the second session on Day Two, England stood at 107/1, with Duckett on 53* and Pope on 48*.

The final session of Day Two saw Pope swiftly reach his half-century. The burgeoning 122-run partnership between Duckett and Pope was eventually broken by Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled Duckett for 62. England was then 126/2. Pope continued to anchor the innings, and despite almost being caught, he formed another vital 50-run stand with Joe Root. England progressed past the 200-run mark, with Pope reaching his ninth Test century—and second against India—off 125 balls. Root, however, fell to Bumrah for the tenth time in his Test career, departing for 28. England ended Day Two at 209/3, trailing India by 262 runs, with Pope (100*) and Harry Brook (0*) at the crease.

Day Three commenced with Pope and Brook on the attack. Pope added quickly to his overnight score before being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna for 106, caught by Rishabh Pant, marking Pant's 150th Test catch. England was then 225/4. Harry Brook continued to assert his dominance, forming a crucial 50-run partnership with captain Ben Stokes, which came off 78 balls. However, Mohammed Siraj struck, getting Stokes out for 20. England reached 276/5.

Following Stokes' dismissal, Jamie Smith joined Brook. Smith survived an early leg-before-wicket review off Shardul Thakur. England crossed the 300-run mark in 71 overs. Harry Brook capitalized on a dropped catch by Pant to reach his 12th Test fifty, achieving the milestone in 65 balls with seven fours and a six. At the end of a balanced first session on Day Three, England stood at 327/5, with Brook unbeaten on 57 and Smith on 29, trailing India by 144 runs. The session highlighted significant partnerships and key dismissals, leaving the match finely poised.