In a breathtaking turn of events at Headingley, England scripted a historic five-wicket victory over India in the opening Test, successfully chasing a mammoth target of 371 runs. The win gave England a 1-0 lead in the series and marked their second-highest successful run chase in Test history-just behind their 378-run pursuit against India in 2022.
Despite dominating for the majority of the match, India was left ruing missed chances and fielding lapses that allowed England to claw back into the game. The result overshadowed what was otherwise a record-breaking batting display from the visitors.
India’s Record-Breaking Batting Performance
India’s performance with the bat was nothing short of historic. They became the first team in Test cricket history to register five individual centuries in a single match, showcasing the depth and flair of their batting lineup.
In the first innings, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) and captain Shubman Gill (147) provided a solid start, laying a strong foundation for a massive total. Jaiswal's attacking strokeplay complemented Gill’s calm, composed innings. The middle-order continued to pile on the pressure, with Rishabh Pant playing a typically aggressive and crowd-pleasing knock of 134 runs, accelerating India's total to an imposing 471.
India’s batting dominance carried into the second innings as well. KL Rahul brought stability with a methodical 137, and Pant once again stole the show with a second century (118), becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score twin centuries in a single Test match. These performances took India’s combined total to a staggering 835 runs across both innings - a figure that would usually guarantee victory.
England's Resilient Response
Facing a target of 371 on the final day, England needed something extraordinary - and they delivered just that.
Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley rose to the occasion with a stunning 188-run stand for the first wicket. Duckett, who was dropped early by Jaiswal, made India pay dearly by smashing 149 in a counterattacking innings that took the game away from the visitors. Crawley’s solid 65 at the other end provided crucial support.
Despite some fiery spells from Jasprit Bumrah and a couple of breakthroughs by Shardul Thakur, England remained unfazed. After the openers laid the foundation, Joe Root played a vintage unbeaten knock of 53*, anchoring the innings during a tense middle session. Debutant Jamie Smith (44*) showed remarkable composure under pressure, stitching an unbroken stand with Root to guide England home in the final session.
Missed Opportunities Haunt India
India's defeat was shaped more by what they missed than what they did wrong with the bat. Fielding proved to be their Achilles' heel — particularly Yashasvi Jaiswal’s four dropped catches, one of which handed Duckett a second life early in his innings. That drop alone may have shifted the momentum irreversibly.
Additionally, India’s bowling lacked bite in crucial phases. While Bumrah bowled with heart, the lack of consistent pressure from the other end meant England could build partnerships freely. The absence of support from the lower-order batting also meant India couldn’t extend their lead further in the second innings.
Gill Reflects on Harsh Captaincy Debut
Shubman Gill, leading India for the first time in Tests, admitted the team had their chances but failed to capitalize.
“It was a fantastic Test match overall. We had our moments, but unfortunately, we dropped crucial catches and our lower order didn’t contribute the way we hoped. Despite the result, I’m proud of the effort our team put in,” Gill said after the match.
While Gill’s personal form was a positive takeaway, his debut as captain ended with a painful lesson in how lapses in the field and a lack of discipline in bowling can undo even record-setting batting performances.
A Bitter-Sweet Record for India
India now finds itself on the wrong side of history. They are the first team ever to lose a Test match after scoring five centuries. The only somewhat comparable instance dates back nearly a century when Australia lost the 1928/29 Ashes Test at the MCG despite four players reaching triple figures.
For England, this is another feather in the cap of their aggressive, modern approach to Test cricket — often referred to as “Bazball” — where big chases are not viewed as insurmountable but as opportunities.
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