India vs England 1st Test Review 2025 – Headingley Thriller Ends in England’s Victory | Full Match Review

Classic Test Cricket Returns at Headingley

If you ever doubted whether Test cricket still holds its magic in the era of T20s, the 1st Test between India and England at Headingley will put those doubts to rest. Over five days of high-quality cricket, this match delivered dramatic momentum shifts, iconic performances, and a finish worthy of a highlight reel.

Despite Rishabh Pant’s heroic twin centuries and a five-wicket haul by Jasprit Bumrah, England pulled off a stunning chase of 371 runs, with Ben Duckett anchoring a sensational fourth-innings charge. The hosts took a 1–0 lead in the five-match series, and cricket fans around the globe are already waiting for the 2nd Test!

India vs England 1st Test Review :

India 1st Innings – 471 All Out

India won the toss and elected to bat first, and their top order capitalized on perfect batting conditions.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India the perfect start with a stylish 101 off 155 balls, marking his fifth Test century.
• Shubman Gill, captaining in Rohit Sharma’s absence, played a true skipper’s knock. His 147 (212 balls) was elegant, composed, and anchored the innings.
• Rishabh Pant walked in with attacking intent and turned the game’s pace, smashing 134 off 143 balls, a whirlwind innings that included his trademark reverse sweeps and fearless strokeplay.

However, the joy ended there. The middle and lower order collapsed:

• Sai Sudharsan (0) and Karun Nair (0) fell without scoring.
• KL Rahul (42) got a start but couldn’t convert.
• Ravindra Jadeja (11) and the tail added minimal resistance.

India, from a strong 454/5, crumbled to 471 all out, losing 5 wickets for just 17 runs.

Top England Bowlers:

• Ben Stokes: 4/64 – aggressive short-pitched spells broke the spine of India’s lower order.
• Josh Tongue: 4/86 – used the old ball brilliantly to engineer a collapse.

England 1st Innings – 465 All Out

After India posted a formidable 471 in their first innings, England walked in under pressure—but responded with composure, aggression, and smart partnerships. Powered by Ollie Pope’s century and Harry Brook’s brilliant 99, England fought back hard and closed the deficit substantially.

Top Order Foundation

England lost Zak Crawley early, as Jasprit Bumrah struck in the very first over. Crawley edged a rising delivery and was caught behind for just 4 runs (6 balls).

But then came Ben Duckett, continuing his sublime form. Duckett played fluently, punishing loose balls and rotating the strike effortlessly. He crafted a valuable 62 (94 balls) with 9 crisp boundaries before Bumrah removed him with a well-directed bouncer.

Middle Order Brilliance

The standout of England’s innings was Ollie Pope, who batted with class and calm under pressure. Coming in at No. 3, he played one of the best innings of the match, scoring a fine 106 off 137 balls with 14 boundaries. His footwork against pace and judgment outside off stump were exceptional.

Pope was well supported by Harry Brook, who fell heartbreakingly short of a century. Brook attacked the Indian bowlers with intent, hitting 99 off 112 balls, including 11 fours and 2 sixes. He looked set for a hundred before being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna, who broke the 104-run stand between him and Pope.

Lower Order Contributions

While the top and middle order laid the foundation, the lower order ensured England crossed 450:

• Jamie Smith (wk) played a handy knock of 40 off 52 balls, including 5 fours and a six.
• Chris Woakes chipped in with 38 off 55, showing patience and resilience.
• Brydon Carse added a quick 22 off 23, maintaining the run rate.
• Josh Tongue (11) and Shoaib Bashir (1*) wrapped up the innings, taking England to a total of 465 all out.

India’s Bowling Performance

India’s bowlers had to toil hard, especially after Pope and Brook took charge. However, Jasprit Bumrah once again rose to the occasion with a fiery five-wicket haul:

• Jasprit Bumrah: 5/83 (24.4 overs) – World-class fast bowling, including the wickets of Crawley, Duckett, Root, Tongue, and Woakes. His mix of seam movement and pace was a nightmare for the English top order.
• Prasidh Krishna: 3/128 (20 overs) – Dismissed key players including Brook and Pope. Despite being expensive, he picked important wickets.
• Mohammed Siraj: 2/122 (27 overs) – Took down the lower order and maintained pressure from one end.
• Ravindra Jadeja & Shardul Thakur: Went wicketless, though Jadeja bowled with control and economy.

India 2nd Innings – 364 All Out (89.1 overs)

After conceding just a 6-run lead to England, India came into the second innings with the aim to set a big target. While the top order didn’t click this time, it was the partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant that turned things around. Their majestic centuries lifted India to a competitive total of 364, giving their bowlers 359 runs to defend in the final innings.

A Rocky Start

India’s second innings didn’t begin as planned:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal, the centurion from the first innings, fell early for just 4 runs.
• Shubman Gill, who had anchored the first innings beautifully, was dismissed for 8.
• Sai Sudharsan managed to show some momentum but could add only 30 runs.
• Karun Nair, still searching for form, added just 20 runs.

At one stage, India were reduced to 85/4, and it looked like England might wrap things up quickly.

Rahul–Pant Partnership Steadies the Ship

Just when India needed a rescue act, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant came together and crafted a match-defining partnership.

• KL Rahul, calm and composed, built his innings brick by brick. He notched up a superb 137 off 247 balls, with 18 fours. His footwork against spin and patience against pace was exemplary.
• Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, continued his dream match. After scoring 134 in the first innings, he smashed another 118 off just 140 balls in the second—playing with flair, precision, and calculated aggression.

Their partnership shifted the momentum, frustrated England’s bowlers, and ensured India crossed the 300-run mark.

Lower Order Collapse

Once Rahul and Pant were dismissed, the lower order couldn’t offer much resistance:

• Ravindra Jadeja added 25 runs.
• The tail collapsed quickly, with Shardul Thakur (4), Jasprit Bumrah (0), Prasidh Krishna (0), and Mohammed Siraj (0) failing to provide support.

India were eventually bowled out for 364, setting England a final target of 371 runs.

England’s Bowling Highlights

• Brydon Carse: 3/80 – Led from the front with aggressive, short-pitched bowling.
• Josh Tongue: 3/72 – Picked up big wickets including Pant.
• Shoaib Bashir: 2/90

England 2nd Innings – 374/5 (Won by 5 Wickets)

Needing 371 to win, England’s openers came out with attacking intent—and they never looked back.

• Ben Duckett played one of the best fourth-innings knocks in recent memory. His 149 off 170 balls was a dazzling blend of timing, precision, and aggression.
• He found perfect support in Zak Crawley (65), who rotated strike well and punished the bad balls.
• After Duckett’s dismissal, Joe Root (53)* and Ben Stokes (33) calmly sealed the win.

The Indian bowlers looked toothless, with even Bumrah unable to repeat his first-innings heroics.

Top Indian Bowler:

• Shardul Thakur: 2/51 – broke the big partnership, but it was too little too late.

England completed the chase in just 93.2 overs, winning by 5 wickets and taking a 1–0 lead in the series.

India vs England 1st Test Review : Match Highlights & Key Performers

Batting Stars

• Rishabh Pant (IND) – 134 & 118: A historic twin century performance that reaffirms his match-winner status.
• Shubman Gill (IND) – 147: A captain’s statement innings.
• Ben Duckett (ENG) – 62 & 149: A fearless, modern-day opener redefining fourth-innings chases.
• Ollie Pope (ENG) – 106 : The backbone of England’s middle order.

Bowling Standouts

• Jasprit Bumrah (IND) – 5/56: Fast bowling at its fiery best.
• Ben Stokes (ENG) – 5 wickets in the match: Leadership through impact.

India vs England 1st Test Review : Expert Take

This Test was a battle of old-school grit vs modern aggression. India’s foundation was built on discipline and class, while England’s win came from proactive play, self-belief, and positive intent.

Rishabh Pant’s twin hundreds should have won the match for India on any other day—but Duckett and Pope had other plans.

It was a masterclass in chasing, a reminder that Test cricket is evolving, and a glowing tribute to what the format can offer when both teams play to win.

What’s Next?

India now trails 0–1 in the five-Test series and will be under pressure going into the 2nd Test at Edgbaston. Can they regroup and bounce back? Will Pant continue his purple patch? Or will England ride their momentum?

The next chapter of this thrilling series promises more action, drama, and brilliance.

For detailed Summary and Score Card Of the 1st Test Match , visit official website of ICC.

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