Ben Stokes' decision to bowl first in the first Test against India at Headingley has drawn heavy criticism after India dominated the opening day, finishing at 359/3. Former England captain Michael Vaughan was among the most vocal, expressing his astonishment at Stokes' choice, particularly given the clear skies and favorable batting conditions. Vaughan described the decision as "staggering," suggesting that it defied traditional cricketing logic at the Leeds venue.
The decision to bowl first was influenced by recent records at Headingley, where the side bowling first has enjoyed success in recent Tests. Stokes also considered England's strong record while batting last. However, the English bowlers, particularly the pace attack, struggled to make an impact on a pitch that appeared to flatten out as the day progressed.
India's opening pair, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, started steadily, but it was the partnership between Jaiswal and Shubman Gill that truly punished England. Jaiswal scored a confident century, becoming the first Asian opener to achieve the feat at Headingley. Gill, leading India for the first time in Tests, also reached a magnificent century, marking his first ton outside Asia. Their dominant performance put England on the back foot right from the start of the five-match series.
Several observers noted that the Headingley pitch appeared more akin to a Day 3 surface, offering little assistance to the bowlers and allowing the Indian batsmen to play with freedom. The lack of movement and discipline from the English pacers further compounded the issue.
The decision to bowl first is not the sole reason for England's struggles on the first day. The absence of key bowlers due to injury forced England to field an inexperienced attack. Chris Woakes was returning from an ankle injury, Brydon Carse was playing his first home Test after recovering from a toe injury, and Josh Tongue was making his Headingley debut. Michael Atherton pointed out that the English bowling attack looked "rusty," lacking the sharpness needed to trouble the Indian batsmen.
Despite the criticism, some argue that there was merit in Stokes' decision. Conditions at Headingley have historically been challenging to bat in the initial innings, tending to flatten out later in the match. Shubman Gill himself admitted that he would have chosen to bowl first had he won the toss. However, the execution of the plan faltered, with England failing to capitalize on any early movement and India seizing control of the game.
