Ben Duckett's spectacular innings spearheaded England's remarkable pursuit of 371 against India at Headingley, securing a thrilling five-wicket victory in the first Test of the series on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. This win marks England's second-highest successful run chase in Test history, adding another chapter to the exciting rivalry between these two cricketing giants.
The stage was set for a captivating final day as England resumed their innings at 21-0, requiring a further 350 runs for victory. Duckett and Zak Crawley displayed resilience and composure, navigating a challenging first hour against India's formidable pace attack, comprised of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The pair's cautious approach in the initial stages was a departure from England's typical aggressive "Bazball" style, emphasizing the importance of preserving wickets and building a solid foundation.
As the innings progressed, Duckett and Crawley gradually increased their scoring rate, with Duckett reaching his half-century. The duo's 100-run partnership came off 24.3 overs, showcasing their growing dominance. Even a change of ball in the 27th over failed to disrupt their rhythm, as they continued to find the boundary with increasing regularity.
After lunch, England continued to build on their strong start, steadily chipping away at the target. Duckett, in particular, unleashed his attacking flair, dispatching loose deliveries with disdain. He reached his sixth Test century off just 121 balls, marking his second consecutive hundred, after his century against Zimbabwe in May. This was also the first fourth-innings hundred by an England opener in 15 years, since Alastair Cook's feat in 2010.
The 188-run opening stand between Duckett and Crawley was the second-highest fourth-innings opening partnership for England in Tests, providing the ideal platform for the chase. However, India fought back after the rain delay, Prasidh Krishna dismissing Crawley for 65, followed by Ollie Pope in the next over. Just as England looked to be cruising to victory, Shardul Thakur removed both Duckett (149) and Harry Brook in quick succession, injecting fresh life into the contest. Ben Stokes' dismissal, top-edging a reverse sweep off Ravindra Jadeja, added further pressure, leaving England needing 69 runs with five wickets down.
Joe Root (53) and Jamie Smith (44) then combined to steer England home, displaying composure and resilience under pressure. Smith sealed the victory in style, hitting a six to spark celebrations at Headingley.
Duckett was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, with scores of 62 and 149. However, India were left to rue missed opportunities, including dropped catches and a lower-order collapse in both innings. Former India pacer Munaf Patel highlighted the dropped chances as a major factor in India's defeat, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on opportunities in Test cricket. Shubman Gill will also be disappointed with his first outing as test captain, after some questionable field settings.
The win gives England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, with the second Test scheduled to begin on July 2nd at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
