🏏 India vs England 1st Test at Headingley – June 20–24, 2025

🏏 India vs England 1st Test at Headingley – June 20–24, 2025

🔹 The Result

England chased down 371 to win by 5 wickets, concluding one of the most dramatic opening Tests in recent memory.

🔹 Day‑by‑Day Analysis

Day 1 — India dominate after Stokes calls

England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl—an unusual call on a bowler-friendly Headingley pitch. India responded emphatically, cruising to 359/3 at stumps.

Shubman Gill smashed a classy 127*—his fastest Test fifty—and Yashasvi Jaiswal also slotted in a century amid cramps.

Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 65* capped the day, leaving England under pressure.


Day 2 to Day 4 — Centuries, collapses & shifting momentum

India built a total of 471 in the first innings, despite England fighting back later in the day.

Ollie Pope (106) and Harry Brook (99) lifted England to 465, giving them a slender deficit.

India’s second innings featured big scores from KL Rahul (137) and Pant (118), but a poor tail collapse saw them bundled out for 364, setting England a steep target of 371.


Final day — England chase, India’s late fight

England began steadily: Duckett (149) and Crawley (65) stitched a pivotal partnership.

With Joe Root (53*) and Jamie Smith (44*), the hosts held nerve and completed the chase with five wickets in hand.



🎯 Key Performers

Team Player Contribution

India Shubman Gill Captain’s maiden Test ton (127*)
India Rishabh Pant Twin tons in match (134 & 118)
India KL Rahul Endured with 137 in second innings
England Ben Duckett Match-winning 149 in the chase
England Ollie Pope Solid 106 in first innings
England Harry Brook 99 in first innings (near miss)
England Josh Tongue Important lower‑order wickets


India scored five centuries in the match but lost—a rare occurrence that exposed fans and critics to question their execution and strategy despite batting dominance.


🧠 Why India Lost Despite 835 Runs?

1. Tail collapse at critical moments — India added only 41 and 31 in their last seven wickets across both innings, enabling England to escape with the chase.


2. England’s aggressive Bazball approach — The hosts chased with intent, confident they could manage even higher totals than 371.


3. Fielding miscues & bowling inefficiency — Key dropped chances and Jasprit Bumrah’s wicketless effort undercut India’s control over the match.



🧭 The Wider Context

England’s opening win sets a confident tone for the series, gaining advantage in WTC points and morale.

For India, criticism mounts on coach Gautam Gambhir. Fans point to strategic missteps and lack of execution despite prolific batting.

Individually, KL Rahul impressed both off-field and on-field. Post-birth of his child, he amassed 532 series runs, showcasing dedication and form under pressure.



🧵 Final Thoughts

Despite scoring five centuries and a massive aggregate of 835 runs, India couldn’t convert into a win. The match highlighted the gulf between scoring and winning—in cricket, discipline in key moments matters more than bulk runs.

England’s fearless chase, anchored by Duckett and backed by Root and Smith, underlined the value of tempo and confidence. India showed brilliance with their top three, but fractures in the lower order and fielding lapses ultimately cost them.

This unforgettable Test—textbook turning points, resilience, and misfortune—kicks off what promises a riveting five-match series.