Ind vs Eng Test series 2025: In-Depth Report on the 1st Test
The Ind vs Eng Test series 2025 began with fireworks at Headingley, Leeds, as England stunned India by chasing down 371 runs on the final day to win by five wickets. This remarkable victory gives England a 1–0 lead in the five-match series and has already set the tone for a fiercely contested battle ahead.
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India’s Dominant First Innings
India’s first innings in Ind vs Eng Test series 2025 put them firmly in control. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the visitors piled up 471 runs on a pitch that offered a healthy balance between bat and ball.
- Centuries Galore:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal kicked things off with a commanding 118, showcasing his trademark drives through the covers.
- Shubman Gill, in his first match as Test captain, added a fluent 147, blending patience with powerful off-side strokes.
- Rishabh Pant engraved his name in history with twin centuries—117 in the first innings followed by 134 in the second—becoming the first Indian to score two hundreds in the same Test on English soil.
- Supporting Acts:
- KL Rahul chipped in with a gritty 102 in the second innings, forming a 195-run partnership with Pant that nearly put the game beyond England’s reach
Despite these heroics, Ind vs Eng Test series 2025 ,India’s lower order failed to provide the expected push at either end, collapsing from 333/4 to 364 all out in the second innings and from 430/3 to 471 all out in the first innings, losing seven wickets for just 41 runs at one stage
England’s Epic Fourth-Innings Chase
Facing a daunting target of 372 to win (ENGLAND needed 371 to win), England began their second innings cautiously but confidently:
- Opening Blitz
- Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley put on an 188-run stand for the first wicket, the second-highest opening partnership in a fourth innings for England at home. Duckett’s elegant drives and cuts helped him to a breathtaking 149 off 170 balls, featuring 21 fours and a six, before Prasidh Krishna finally ended the partnership reuters.com.
- Middle-Order Wobbles
- Two rapid wickets—Duckett falling to Shardul Thakur followed instantly by Harry Brook’s golden duck—brought India roaring back into contention. Brook’s dismissal was one of two caught-and-bowled by Thakur, reminding England of the Mountain to climb
- Stokes’ Reversal and Root’s Calm
- Captain Ben Stokes attempted a flamboyant reverse sweep but was undone by Ravindra Jadeja for 33, turning the tide momentarily in India’s favour. Enter Joe Root, whose unbeaten 53 grafted the hosts through tense overs, exemplifying the calm head that made him one of the game’s greats
- Winning Moments
- With 14 overs still left in the day, Jamie Smith blasted two sixes off Jadeja, including the match-sealing blow that took England home by five wickets, completing the second-highest successful chase in England’s Test history and the 10th highest in Test cricket overall
Key Moments That Shaped the Test
- Five Centuries in a Losing Cause
India became the first side in Test history to score five centuries in a match and still lose, underlining the drama of this contest. - Dropped Catches
Critical missed opportunities, including a sharp chance off Duckett at slip, proved costly. India’s fielders let slip match-defining moments, something captain Shubman Gill later acknowledged.
- Two-Wicket Flurry
Thakur’s twin wickets in successive deliveries of the fourth innings briefly swung momentum India’s way, only for Root and Smith to steady the ship - Stokes’ “4D Captaincy”
Fans praised Stokes’ gamesmanship when he appeared hurt after a successful reverse sweep attempt, baiting India into a failed review
Records and Milestones
| Record | Detail |
| Second-highest home fourth-innings chase | 371 runs by England |
| 10th highest successful run chase in Test history | England’s pursuit of 371 |
| First time 5 centurions lost | India’s five hundreds in one Test and still ended up on the losing side |
| Longest 50-partnership start for England | 99 balls for Duckett & Crawley before upping the run rate |
Top Performers
- Batting
- Ben Duckett (Eng): 149 & –
- Shubman Gill (Ind): 147 & –
- Rishabh Pant (Ind): 117 & 134
- Bowling
- Jasprit Bumrah (Ind): 5/83 in England’s first innings
- Josh Tongue & Ben Stokes (Eng): 4 wickets each in India’s first innings
- Shardul Thakur (Ind): Key middle-order strikes in England’s chase
Reactions from Both Camps
- Shubman Gill (India Captain):
“We had our chances. A few dropped catches and the lower order not contributing cost us. I’m proud of how the team fought, but we must learn and improve.” - Ben Stokes (England Captain):
“Incredible performance. Duckett and Crawley set the foundation. Root and Smith showed nerves of steel. To start 1-0 is massive.” - Gautam Gambhir (India Head Coach):
“We stick to our plan for Bumrah—he’ll play three of the five Tests. His fitness is crucial for India’s long-term goals.”
Will There Be Player Changes for the 2nd Test?
- India
- Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for two Tests, likely missing Edgbaston or Old Trafford, to manage his workload after returning from injury
- Mukesh Kumar or Shardul Thakur could replace Bumrah, adding variety to the pace attack.
- England
- No immediate changes are expected after such a commanding win; the current XI will likely be retained.
What’s Next?
The Ind vs Eng Test series 2025 moves on to Edgbaston, Birmingham, starting July 2, 2025. India will look to bounce back and level the series, while England aim to capitalise on home advantage and extend their lead to 2–0. With two contrasting days of spin and pace on offer in Birmingham, fans can expect another riveting contest in Ind vs Eng Test series 2025.
Some FAQs
Q: Who was Player of the Match in the 1st Test of Ind vs Eng Test series 2025?
A: Ben Duckett, for his match-turning 149 in the fourth innings
Q: What was India’s highest total in the match of Ind vs Eng Test series 2025?
A: India scored 471 in their first innings
Q: How many centuries were scored in the 1st Test of Ind vs Eng Test series 2025?
A: Seven centuries—five by India and two by England.
Q: What records were set in this match(Ind vs Eng Test series 2025)?
A: It was India’s first Test with five centuries and ended in defeat; England recorded their second-highest home chase and the 10th highest in Test history.
