The 1st Test match of India’s tour of England 2025 came to a thrilling conclusion at Headingley, Leeds, on June 24. What began as a contest tilted heavily in India’s favour gradually turned into one of the finest Test match turnarounds in recent years. England pulled off a stunning fourth-innings chase of 371 runs on the final day to win the match and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

India’s First Innings Dominance

 

India’s journey in the match began with a powerful batting display in the first innings, putting up 471 runs on the board. The tone was set by the top-order where Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli all chipped in with solid starts. However, it was KL Rahul’s composed 137 that stood out. He built critical partnerships in the middle overs, anchoring the innings with finesse and maturity.

Rishabh Pant followed that up with an aggressive 118, counter-attacking with shots around the wicket. His century brought momentum back to India when it seemed like England were clawing their way in with the second new ball. These efforts laid a solid foundation, allowing India to aim for complete control over the Test.

England’s Grit in the First Innings

 

England replied with determination. Despite regular wickets, they managed 465 runs, almost neutralising India’s total. Joe Root played a calm and technical innings to keep England afloat. The Indian bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur, created pressure but could not consistently capitalise, allowing England to stay within touching distance. The slender six-run lead for India looked like a missed opportunity.

India Set a Mammoth Target

 

India’s second innings continued the story of batting brilliance. Rishabh Pant made history by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match in England. His aggressive 100-plus knock was the highlight once again. KL Rahul also continued his rich form and stitched together a partnership that had India racing towards a declaration.

India declared after putting up 364 runs in the second innings, setting England a record-breaking target of 371 on a Day 5 pitch that had started offering turn and variable bounce. At that stage, few would have imagined England chasing down that total with such poise.

England’s Chase Begins with Intent

 

England’s openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley walked in with a clear plan. Duckett played with freedom, punishing loose deliveries, while Crawley played second fiddle, rotating strike and holding one end. The pair stitched a crucial 117-run opening partnership before lunch. Duckett’s strokeplay frustrated the Indian bowlers and his composure in difficult conditions was admirable.

Duckett went on to score a match-winning 149, his highest in the fourth innings and the highest ever by an English player while chasing against India. His knock was aggressive, yet measured. He pulled, cut, and drove with authority, turning the tide in England’s favour.

India Fight Back Amidst Rain and Pressure

 

India struck back in the second session as Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur picked up quick wickets, briefly slowing England’s march. Duckett finally fell to Shardul after a miscued shot, and soon Harry Brook was back in the pavilion. At that point, India saw a glimmer of hope with the scoreboard reading 253 for 3.

Rain interruptions came at frustrating intervals, adding uncertainty to both teams’ strategies. Every break seemed to slow England’s momentum, yet when the final session resumed, the English batsmen remained composed.

The Final Push: England Hold Their Nerve

 

Joe Root, alongside Ben Stokes and later Jamie Smith, carried the chase through. India’s field placements became defensive, and the bowlers struggled to create pressure. Root played a typical anchoring role while Stokes showed flashes of aggression before falling to a clever field trap set by captain Shubman Gill.

In the dying overs, Jamie Smith and Root guided England to the target, sealing a remarkable win that will be remembered as one of Headingley’s finest moments. The composure of the English middle order under pressure showed the strength of their new approach to Test cricket.

What Went Wrong for India?

 

Despite scoring over 800 runs in the match, India’s inability to consistently pick wickets in the fourth innings cost them dearly. The bowling lacked bite, especially in the absence of swing and seam support. Ravindra Jadeja and Bumrah bowled tirelessly, but England’s batsmen never allowed the bowlers to settle.

Another concern was India’s fielding. A dropped catch by Rishabh Pant and a few missed opportunities in the slips turned the match away at critical moments. The failure to capitalise on half-chances cost them momentum at crucial points.

Key Takeaways

 

England’s belief in their ‘Bazball’ approach – aggressive yet tactically aware – paid dividends. Their top-order set the tone early, and their middle order carried the baton with maturity. Duckett’s knock will go down as one of the finest fourth-innings efforts by an Englishman.

For India, the batting showed tremendous promise with centuries from KL Rahul and Pant, but the bowlers couldn’t deliver under pressure. The team will need to regroup and rethink their approach, especially their bowling combinations and fielding tactics.

Looking Ahead

 

The series now moves to Edgbaston with England holding a 1-0 lead. India has shown they have the firepower to dominate sessions, but sustaining pressure over five days remains the challenge. With two more Tests to go, the battle is far from over, and fans can expect more high-quality cricket.

This Headingley Test will be remembered for its drama, swings in momentum, standout performances, and the incredible resilience shown by England. For India, it’s a hard lesson in how quickly a dominant position can turn into a missed opportunity.