IND vs ENG 1st Test: England Beat India by 5 Wickets in a Thrilling Chase at Headingley: England beat India by 5 wickets to lead the five-match Test series 1-0. In pursuit of a target of 371, the hosts produced a superb batting performance on Day 5 to seal victory and earned full points in their first match of the World Test Championship 2025–27.
IND vs ENG: Ben Duckett stars in England’s win
England entered Day 5 needing 204 runs, with all 10 wickets in hand. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley set a great early tone with an add of 117 runs, and Duckett was the standout performer to guide the England innings with calm and class (149 not out). Joe Root (53) and debutant Jamie Smith (36*) started slowly but held their nerve while attempting to navigate a slight middle-order wobble.
Earlier in the match, India posted 342 in the first innings, led by KL Rahul’s 137, before England posted 319 (Ollie Pope 91). In the second innings, Rishabh Pant contrived an aggressive century (118 off 105), becoming the first Asian wicketkeeper to score hundreds in each innings of a Test match—an achievement but not, sadly, enough to stop England’s final charge, despite Jasprit Bumrah’s 5 wickets.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: Fully Fit Jofra Archer Gears Up For Test Series Return
England won this match and went 1-0 up in the series, and they also moved to first place in the WTC standings with a total of 12 points and a PCT of 100. India will be keen to get back on track when the two sides meet again in the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2nd.
