England scripted a memorable comeback on the final day of the first Test match at Headingley, chasing down a daunting 371 to beat India by five wickets and take a 1–0 lead in the five-match series. The hosts rode on a sublime 149 from opener Ben Duckett, whose fearless strokeplay set the tone for one of England’s finest fourth-innings chases in recent history.
Starting the day at 19 for no loss, Duckett and Zak Crawley (65) launched a blistering counterattack, stitching together a 188-run opening stand that flattened the Indian bowling attack. Duckett was particularly aggressive, reaching his hundred before lunch and rarely allowing the bowlers to settle.
India briefly clawed back in the post-lunch session with a cluster of wickets, Duckett holing out on 149, followed by quick dismissals of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes. At 252/ 5, the match hung in the balance, but Joe Root (53 not out) and Jamie Smith (44 not out) ensured there would be no further drama.
The pair added 119 unbeaten runs for the sixth wicket, calmly steering England home. Their composed approach neutralised the second new ball and silenced the Indian fielders, who looked increasingly deflated as the target narrowed.
For India, the defeat was a bitter pill. Jasprit Bumrah, the hero of the first innings, went wicketless, while the spinner failed to exert any control on a docile surface. A couple of missed opportunities in the field only compounded their woes.
This was the highest successful run chase ever recorded at Headingley and another reminder of England’s growing confidence in the fourth innings under Ben Stokes. India, despite dominating large stretches of the match, were left to rue a final day where they couldn’t land the decisive blows.
The focus now shifts to the second Test, where India must regroup quickly or risk slipping further behind in what promises to be a fiercely contested series.
