Brilliant England defeat India at Headingley

Ben Stokes’ England battled to secure an exhilarating win in their first Test against India. A decisive batting display from Ben Duckett in the second innings helped to overturn an early deficit in a spectacular run chase.

Coming into the first test in Leeds, England had lost two of their last three international test matches against India. It was clear to most that England’s success depended on their ability to deal with fast-bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who Stephan Shemilt described as “capable of winning the series single-handedly”.

From the very off, India appeared to be on the front foot. A beautiful display of batting from Jaiswal, Gill and Pant helped India to reach an almost insurmountable target of 430 with only four wickets taken. In the early stages, it certainly seemed like the first Test, and potentially the series, was already slipping away from England. India’s tail-end collapsed over the next six wickets, but they still managed to achieve the impressive target of 471 for Stokes and his team to chase.

A combination of controlled batting and an unusually poor second innings from Bumrah secured England’s thrilling victory

England’s first innings did not begin well. Jack Crawley was dismissed for just four runs, getting caught after failing to deal with Bumrah’s bowling. However, a strong partnership developed soon after between Duckett and Ollie Pope, achieving 62 and 106 runs respectively.

Still, India’s huge target continued to look out of reach. Harry Brook came agonisingly close to reaching a hometown century, achieving a score of 99 before being caught. Brook, combined with a strong tail-end, helped reduce the deficit to just six runs after the first innings, leaving the tie all to play for heading into the final days of the Test.

India once again delivered an expert batting display in their second innings, with a standout century from Rahul, as well as the second consecutive century from Rishabh Pant. England bowled well, with Tongue and Carse sharing three wickets each, but India managed to surge to another high total of 364. With rain on the forecast for the final day, and another impressive target to aim for, many questioned whether England could reach the total while at the mercy of Bumrah, Siraj and the rest of India’s bowlers.

After this brilliant display at Headingley, the series is now undoubtedly England’s to lose

A combination of controlled batting and an unusually poor second innings from Bumrah secured England’s thrilling victory on the final day. Duckett was the stand-out, over three hours at the crease and a score of 149. His calm display helped steer England to a deceivingly large victory by five wickets, which does not represent how closely matched both sides were. Crawley and Root both achieved half-centuries, navigating the changing tactics of Shubman Gill, while Stokes and Smith helped see the victory through.

England’s victory in the first Test puts them 1-0 up in the series, and their astonishing run chase was the 10th highest ever. The upcoming second Test is anticipated to be just as compelling, and it will certainly be intriguing to see how the India team approach the upcoming fixture at Edgbaston after this defeat. Will Bumrah be back to his best, or has the historically tricky bowler finally been figured out? With Jofra Archer finally returning after a four-year hiatus, and with many of England’s players clearly confident after this brilliant display at Headingley, the series is now undoubtedly England’s to lose.