Headingley continued its reputation as a fortress for chasing sides, as England completed a record-breaking pursuit of 371 against India in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Ben Duckett’s magnificent 149 set the tone before Jamie Smith sealed the deal with a towering six, ensuring England began the series with an emphatic triumph.
Despite centuries from five Indian batters across both innings, lapses in execution — especially with the ball and in the field — handed Ben Stokes’ side a decisive edge. The victory not only secured a sixth straight success for England in Leeds but also intensified questions around India’s ability to close out games overseas.
Table of Contents
Duckett’s Masterclass Headlines Historic Run Chase
Ben Duckett walked in with the responsibility of anchoring England’s highest fourth-innings chase at this venue, and he did so in style. Starting cautiously, Duckett gradually found rhythm, dismantling India’s bowlers with calculated aggression. His reverse sweeps against Ravindra Jadeja were a particular highlight, neutralizing India’s spin threat, while Prasidh Krishna bore the brunt of his attacking instincts.
Reaching his sixth Test ton with a defiant reverse sweep, Duckett’s celebrations were brief as he immediately refocused on the job at hand. Even though he eventually fell to Shardul Thakur for 149, his blistering knock had already dismantled India’s defenses.
Crawley’s Support and Early Foundations
Zak Crawley played a significant supporting role, adding 188 alongside Duckett for the opening wicket. Their stand effectively set the tone for England’s audacious chase, defying testing new-ball spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Crawley’s innings, a composed 78, came to an end thanks to Prasidh Krishna’s well-directed seam movement. Ollie Pope followed soon after, chopping on a delivery that nipped back. Suddenly, what looked like a stroll turned into a contest, but England’s depth would soon shine through.
India’s Dropped Chances and Bowling Woes
India’s hopes of making inroads were repeatedly dashed by sloppy fielding. Yashasvi Jaiswal, in particular, endured a torrid outing, dropping three catches, including Duckett on 97. Mohammed Siraj’s fury at that moment summed up India’s frustration, as yet another potential breakthrough slipped away.
India’s bowling, especially in the absence of consistent support for Bumrah, floundered. While Prasidh picked up wickets, his economy of 6.28 — the highest for an Indian bowler in Tests — highlighted the lack of control. Even Jadeja, usually dependable, was reverse swept with disdain by Duckett and later punished by Jamie Smith.
England’s Middle-Order Test But Root and Smith Deliver
As the afternoon progressed, Thakur’s double strike opened up proceedings. Duckett’s dismissal was soon followed by Harry Brook’s first-ball departure, strangled down the leg side. Suddenly, from serene dominance, England found themselves grappling for composure.
Ben Stokes and Joe Root combined for a stabilizing phase, cautiously maneuvering the hosts closer. Stokes, however, perished trying an audacious reverse sweep off Jadeja, leaving the match precariously poised.
That’s when Jamie Smith, eager to redeem his first-innings failure, showcased remarkable poise. Launching Jadeja over the boundary twice in one over, he effectively sealed the result. His six to conclude proceedings was not just a flourish but a statement of England’s evolving confidence in pressure situations.
India’s Leadership Under Scrutiny
For Shubman Gill, this encounter was a harsh initiation as India’s Test captain. His tactical choices, including neglecting Siraj for a lengthy stretch and under-utilizing Bumrah at crucial stages, will inevitably invite criticism. Despite his own sparkling century in the first innings, Gill’s joy will have been tempered by a defeat that exposed glaring strategic flaws.
More pressing is India’s reliance on Bumrah, who, after his five-wicket haul earlier in the game, was rendered ineffective during England’s chase. His limited availability in the remainder of the series casts further doubt on India’s prospects.
Headingley’s Record and England’s Growing Aura
Ben Stokes’ gamble to field first paid off handsomely, reaffirming Headingley’s status as a haven for epic fourth-innings pursuits. Five of the last seven Tests here have now been won by sides batting last, three involving targets exceeding 250. Though this chase may lack the drama of the 2019 Ashes, it underscored England’s refined ability to hunt down formidable totals with clinical precision.
The unbroken partnership of 71 between Root and Smith not only secured victory but demonstrated England’s strengthened middle-order resilience, a promising sign for the rest of the series.
Brief Scores
India 471 (Shubman Gill 147, Rishabh Pant 134, Yashasvi Jaiswal 101; Ben Stokes 4/66, Josh Tongue 4/86) & 364 (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Brydon Carse 3/80, Josh Tongue 3/72) lost to England 465 (Ollie Pope 106, Harry Brook 99; Jasprit Bumrah 5/83, Prasidh Krishna 3/128) & 373/5 (Ben Duckett 149, Zak Crawley 65; Shardul Thakur 2/51, Prasidh Krishna 2/92) by five wickets.
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FAQs
What was England’s highest successful Test chase before this match?
Their highest is 378 against India at Edgbaston in 2022.
How many runs did Ben Duckett score in the fourth innings?
Duckett made a brilliant 149 runs before getting out.
Who were England’s key bowlers in this Test?
While this article focuses on the chase, England’s bowlers collectively performed well, with Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue being impactful earlier in the match.
Who captained India in this Test?
Shubman Gill captained India for the first time in Test cricket.
Where will the second Test of the series be played?
The second Test is scheduled to be held at Trent Bridge, Nottingham from July 2.
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