🏏 England Pull Off Record-Breaking Chase to Stun India in Headingley Thriller | India vs England – 2025

England produced a remarkable turnaround on the fifth and final day to clinch the 1st Test against India by five wickets, chasing down a mammoth target of 371 runs—their second-highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test history. The match, held at Headingley, was a spectacle of skill, nerves, and dramatic momentum swings, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling five-Test series.

After India had dominated large parts of the match—thanks to centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118)—the hosts roared back into contention with a fearless batting display led by Ben Duckett, who smashed a counter-attacking 149 off 173 balls to anchor the chase. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, laced with 21 boundaries and a six.

🇮🇳 India’s Commanding Start

India began the Test strongly, posting 471 in their first innings, with significant contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal (96), KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill (74). The top order capitalized on a flat surface, while England’s bowlers toiled for breakthroughs. Despite a valiant five-wicket haul by Ollie Robinson, India looked in full control.

England replied with 465, with Joe Root scoring a gritty 112. India’s bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur (3/88), kept things tight but couldn’t prevent the English tail from wagging and reducing the first-innings lead to just six runs.

India’s second innings was equally commanding. Rishabh Pant lit up Headingley with a swashbuckling century, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score two Test hundreds on English soil. KL Rahul followed with another composed hundred, taking India to 364 and setting England a daunting 371 for victory.

🏴 Incredible English Comeback

Few would have bet on an England win at stumps on Day 4, especially with pressure mounting in the final innings. But the home side, embodying the “Bazball” approach under coach Brendon McCullum, attacked the chase with belief and clarity.

Openers Zak Crawley (65) and Ben Duckett provided a solid start with a 124-run stand. Duckett, in particular, was imperious—cutting and driving with finesse, putting India’s bowlers under immense pressure.

India clawed back with a double strike from Shardul Thakur, who dismissed Duckett and Harry Brook off consecutive deliveries. Prasidh Krishna then rattled the stumps twice in an over, leaving England teetering at 281/5. But just when India sensed an opening, former captain Joe Root (53)* and debutant Jamie Smith (44)* stitched an unbroken 92-run partnership.

Smith sealed the match in style, lofting Axar Patel over long-on for six, igniting celebrations in the English dressing room.

🧤 Fielding Woes & Missed Chances

India’s loss will be remembered as much for their batting brilliance as for their fielding failures. The visitors dropped six catches, including four by Yashasvi Jaiswal, allowing key English batters to escape early. The dropped catch of Duckett on 37 proved especially costly.

Former players and pundits were quick to criticize the lack of intensity and execution in the field, with Gautam Gambhir calling it “one of the sloppiest fielding performances in recent Test history.”

📊 Match Summary

• India: 471 & 364
• England: 465 & 373/5
• Result: England won by 5 wickets
• Player of the Match: Ben Duckett (149 runs in 4th innings)

🔮 What’s Next?

England now lead the five-Test series 1-0, with the next Test scheduled at Old Trafford in Manchester. India will have much to ponder—notably their fielding and middle-order balance—while England will look to continue their momentum with Jofra Archer expected to return.

With both teams stacked with talent and intensity running high, the rest of the series promises high-quality cricket and compelling narratives.

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