June 24, 2025, marked a thrilling conclusion to the first Test of the 2025 India tour of England at Headingley, Leeds. England, chasing a formidable 371, delivered a batting masterclass to secure a 5-wicket victory, led by Ben Duckett’s explosive 149. This match, the opening clash of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, showcased England’s resilience and India’s missed opportunities, with dropped catches and ineffective bowling proving decisive. Under new captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, India faced a steep learning curve, while England’s aggressive approach set the tone for an enthralling series.
England’s Relentless Pursuit
Resuming Day 5 at 21/0, needing 350 more runs, England’s openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley attacked from the outset. Their 188-run partnership in 42.2 overs was a masterclass in controlled aggression, with Duckett’s 149 off 170 balls (21 fours, 1 six) stealing the show. His innings, the highest individual score in a fourth-innings chase against India, blended elegance and power, reaching his century with a flurry of boundaries. Crawley’s 65 provided solid support, ensuring England maintained momentum despite early pressure from India’s bowlers.
When Crawley fell, caught by KL Rahul off Prasidh Krishna, Joe Root (53*) stepped up, forging a 101-run stand with Duckett. A brief scare came when Thakur dismissed Duckett and Harry Brook (0) in quick succession, but Root and Jamie Smith (44*) steadied the ship with an unbroken 71-run partnership. England reached 373/5 in 82 overs, sealing the second-highest successful chase on English soil with composure and flair.
India’s Bowling and Fielding Woes
India’s bowling attack, which had shone in England’s first innings with Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-wicket haul, crumbled under pressure on Day 5. Bumrah, surprisingly wicketless, conceded 57 runs in 19 overs, unable to breach England’s batting. Mohammed Siraj (0/51) and Prasidh Krishna (2/92) struggled, with Krishna’s 15 overs leaking runs at 6.13, the most expensive spell by an Indian in Test history. Shardul Thakur (2/51) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/104) offered brief hope, but the lack of early wickets allowed England to dictate terms.
Fielding errors exacerbated India’s troubles. Six dropped catches, including three by Yashasvi Jaiswal, proved catastrophic. A pivotal moment came when Jaiswal dropped Duckett at 87 off Krishna, a miss that allowed Duckett to add 62 more runs. Rishabh Pant and Karun Nair also faltered, with Nair’s misfield gifting four runs. These lapses, combined with a flat pitch, handed England the momentum they needed to chase down the target.
Shubman Gill’s Post-Match Reflections
In his post-match interview, captain Shubman Gill expressed disappointment over India’s inability to set a more imposing target. “We planned to declare around 430-435 on Day 4, but we were bowled out for 364,” Gill said. “On Day 5, the pitch was flat, and England batted exceptionally well. We couldn’t have done much more with the ball.” Despite his first-innings century (147), Gill’s debut as Test captain was overshadowed by the defeat, highlighting the challenges of leading a young side in England .
Gautam Gambhir’s Support for Bowlers
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, visibly frustrated during the match, particularly when Jaiswal dropped Duckett, remained supportive of his young bowling attack. “If we start judging our bowlers after every Test, how will we develop a bowling attack?” Gambhir remarked. “This is a young group, with most bowlers having very few Tests under their belt. They are in this dressing room because they are quality players.” He emphasized the need to build a long-term fast-bowling unit, defending Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj despite their struggles.
Fans’ Mixed Emotions
The Headingley crowd was in raptures, applauding England’s every run, with prolonged ovations for Duckett and Crawley’s opening stand and when England reached 100. On X, Indian fans vented their frustration, criticizing the bowling and fielding. One post read, “Impossible to win with this kind of bowling”. Another suggested, “Really poor bowling from team India!! Maybe try Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh in next match”. Some fans acknowledged England’s brilliance, with one calling the chase a “masterclass,” but the overriding sentiment was disappointment over India’s performance.
Historical Significance
England’s chase of 371 is their second-highest against India, behind only the 387 at The Oval in 1971, and the second-highest on English soil. Duckett’s 149 set a new benchmark for fourth-innings chases against India. For India, the loss was historic in another way: they became the first team in 148 years of Test cricket to have five centurions (Rishabh Pant twice, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul) in a match yet still lose, underscoring their Day 5 collapse.
Day 5 of the first Test was a tale of England’s batting prowess and India’s missed opportunities. Ben Duckett’s 149, supported by Crawley, Root, and Smith, outshone India’s efforts, marred by six dropped catches and ineffective bowling. As Gill and Gambhir look to regroup, England’s victory sets the stage for a fiercely contested series. For cricket fans, this day was a reminder of Test cricket’s drama and unpredictability, with the promise of more to come.
Also Read: ENG vs IND: India’s 5 Centurions Efforts Go In Vain