India vs England 1st Test 2025 Highlights
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
Dates: June 20–24, 2025
Result: England beat India by 5 wickets
Match Summary
- England completed a record run chase of 371 runs, winning by five wickets on the final day. This chase was the second-highest in Test history on English soil.
- Ben Duckett was named Player of the Match for his outstanding 149 in the second innings (211 runs in the match), anchoring England’s pursuit.
- India made history with five centurions in a Test (Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Pant again), but still ended up on the losing side—the first time this has ever happened in 148 years of Test cricket.
- Rishabh Pant scored centuries in both innings, becoming only the second wicketkeeper-batter after Andy Flower to do so in a Test in England.
How the Match Unfolded
India 1st Innings: 471
- Centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant set up a massive total.
England 1st Innings: 465
- England responded strongly, with contributions across the top and middle order.
India 2nd Innings: 364
- Rishabh Pant scored his second century of the match.
- KL Rahul also reached three figures.
- India collapsed from 333/4 to 364 all out, thanks to a burst from Josh Tongue.
England 2nd Innings (Target: 371): 375/5
- Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave England a solid start.
- Duckett’s 149 was the centerpiece, with Jamie Smith finishing the chase in style with 12 runs off a single Jadeja over.
- England lost wickets at intervals, but Duckett’s composure and partnerships with the middle order ensured the chase stayed on track.
- Jamie Smith hit a six to seal the win, capping off a memorable run chase.
Turning Points & Key Moments
- Dropped catches by India (at least five, including four off Jaiswal) and missed opportunities in the field proved costly.
- England’s aggressive, positive batting approach under Ben Stokes’ captaincy was crucial, especially Duckett’s fearless strokeplay2.
- India’s inability to capitalize after being 333/4 in the second innings allowed England to restrict the target to a manageable chase.
Notable Records
- First time in Test history: Five Indian centurions in a match, but still a defeat.
- Second-highest run chase in England: England’s 371 is only behind their 378 against India at Edgbaston in 2022.
- Rishabh Pant: First Asian wicketkeeper to score two centuries in a Test in England.
Player of the Match
- Ben Duckett: 62 (1st innings) & 149 (2nd innings).
What’s Next?
- The five-match series continues, with the 2nd Test starting July 2, 2025.
Summary:
England pulled off a thrilling five-wicket win at Headingley, chasing 371 with Ben Duckett’s 149 leading the way. Despite centuries from five Indian batters and Rishabh Pant’s twin tons, India’s fielding lapses and a middle-order collapse proved decisive as England took a 1-0 lead in the series.
