Ind vs Eng: England Clinch Thrilling First Test Against India in Headingley Classic

June 24, 2025 Lena Batra

England have drawn first blood in the five-match Test series against India, securing a remarkable five-wicket victory in a captivating encounter at Headingley, Leeds. The match, which went down to the wire on the fifth and final day, saw England successfully chase down a formidable target of 371, marking one of their highest successful fourth-innings run-chases on home soil.

India, led by new captain Shubman Gill, will be left to ponder what might have been, as they became the first team in the 148-year history of Test cricket to lose a match despite having five centurions across their two innings. This includes two magnificent hundreds from Rishabh Pant, and tons from Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul.

Match Highlights: A See-Saw Battle

The Test match was a true see-saw affair, with momentum swinging between the two sides throughout the five days.

India’s Strong Start: India posted a strong total of 471 in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Shubman Gill (147), and Rishabh Pant (134). England’s bowlers, particularly Ben Stokes and Josh Tongue, managed to pick up crucial wickets, but India’s batting depth ensured a commanding total.

England’s Reply: England responded with 465 in their first innings, with Ollie Pope (106) and Harry Brook (99) leading the charge. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming a five-wicket haul.

India’s Second Innings Collapse: After gaining a narrow first-innings lead, India looked set to build an insurmountable advantage in their second innings. KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118) once again dominated, but a dramatic collapse saw India lose six wickets for just 37 runs, eventually being bowled out for 364. This left England with a challenging, but achievable, target of 371.

England’s Record Chase: Resuming Day 5 needing 350 runs with all ten wickets in hand, England’s openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley set the tone with a sensational 188-run partnership. Duckett, in particular, was exceptional, scoring a masterful 149, unfazed by India’s pace attack. Despite a brief wobble orchestrated by Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur, who picked up crucial wickets including Duckett and Harry Brook, Joe Root (53*) and Jamie Smith (44*) held their nerve. Their unbroken 71-run partnership for the sixth wicket ensured England reached the target with five wickets to spare, showcasing the aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.

What Went Wrong for India?

While India displayed moments of brilliance, particularly with the bat, several factors contributed to their defeat:

Lower-Middle Order Collapse: In both innings, India suffered collapses in their lower-middle order, squandering strong positions.
Dropped Catches: Costly dropped catches, especially in the first innings, proved detrimental.
Lack of Bowling Support: Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s efforts, the other pacers struggled to provide consistent breakthroughs, and the spin attack, apart from Jadeja’s occasional strikes, couldn’t tie down the English batters.

This thrilling victory gives England a 1-0 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead.