The first Test at Headingley, Leeds, on June 24, 2025, is set for a thrilling finish as England reached 215/2 at the close of play on Day 5, chasing a daunting 371-run target set by India. Ben Duckett’s swashbuckling 121 (142 balls)* and Zak Crawley’s 59 (78 balls) laid a solid foundation with a 181-run opening stand, but Prasidh Krishna’s quick strikes—removing Crawley and Ollie Pope in quick succession—kept India in the contest. With Joe Root (2)* and Duckett unbeaten, England need 156 more runs with 8 wickets in hand, while India hunt for wickets on a pitch offering variable bounce and spin. Rain interruptions added drama, but with 55 overs left, all four results remain possible. Let’s break down the action-packed Day 5 and what lies ahead in this epic Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy clash!
England’s Blazing Start: Duckett and Crawley Dominate
England began Day 5 at 21/0, with Zak Crawley (12)* and Ben Duckett (9)* facing India’s pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The openers weathered an early fiery spell from Bumrah, who was visibly frustrated by Duckett’s time-wasting tactics. Crawley set the tone with back-to-back boundaries off Siraj in the fourth over, carving one over point and flicking another through mid-wicket. Duckett, more watchful, grew in confidence, and the pair added 42 runs in the first hour without loss, reaching 63/0 in 18 overs.
Duckett’s aggression shone through as he brought up his sixth Test century off 120 balls, peppered with 13 boundaries. His fluent knock included a powerful cut off Prasidh Krishna and a reverse sweep off Ravindra Jadeja, showcasing his adaptability. Crawley complemented him with a composed 59, surviving a close call when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped him on 58 at deep backward square off Siraj. By lunch, England were 181/0, needing just 190 more, with Duckett on 105 and Crawley on 59.** A brief rain delay halted play, but no overs were lost, keeping England’s momentum intact.
India Strike Back: Prasidh Krishna’s Double Blow
Just when England seemed to be cruising, Prasidh Krishna turned the game with two quick wickets post-lunch. Crawley fell for 59, bowled by a sharp inswinger that snuck through his defenses, ending the 181-run opening stand. Moments later, Ollie Pope (0) was clean-bowled by another nip-backer, with the shiny side suggesting reverse swing. Prasidh’s fiery spell (2/56) gave India hope, as England slipped to 181/2. Joe Root (2)* joined Duckett, who continued his onslaught, reaching 121 by stumps*. A missed run-out chance by substitute Nitish Kumar Reddy spared Root, but India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, will look to exploit the deteriorating pitch on the final day.
India’s Day 4 Recap: Pant’s Historic Feat and a Late Collapse
Day 4 set the stage for this thrilling chase, with India’s KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118) dominating through a 195-run fourth-wicket partnership. Pant made history as the first Indian wicketkeeper and second overall (after Andy Flower) to score twin centuries in a Test, with his 140-ball knock including 15 fours and 3 sixes. His 252 runs in the match set a new record for an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test, surpassing Budhi Kunderan’s 230. Rahul’s composed 137 off 247 balls anchored the innings, but India’s collapse from 333/4 to 364 all out—losing six wickets for 31 runs—kept England alive. Josh Tongue (3/72) triggered the slide with a stunning triple-wicket over, dismissing Shardul Thakur (4), Mohammed Siraj (0), and Jasprit Bumrah (0) in four balls. Shoaib Bashir (2/64) claimed Pant and Prasidh Krishna (0), while *Ravindra Jadeja’s 25 added crucial runs.
Current Score and Status
- England 2nd Innings: 215/2 (47 overs, need 156 runs to win)
- Ben Duckett: 121* (142 balls, 13×4)
- Joe Root: 2* (8 balls)
- Fall of Wickets: 181/1 (Crawley 59), 181/2 (Pope 0)
- India 2nd Innings: 364 all out (Rahul 137, Pant 118, Tongue 3/72, Carse 3/80)
- Target: 371
- Bowling: Prasidh Krishna 2/56, Jasprit Bumrah 0/48, Mohammed Siraj 0/50, Ravindra Jadeja 0/20
- Overs Remaining: 55 (minimum)
- Weather: Intermittent showers forecast, but play resumed after a brief rain delay.
Key Moments of Day 5
- Solid Opening Stand: Duckett (121*) and Crawley (59) added 181 for the first wicket, England’s highest opening stand against India since 2016.
- Duckett’s Ton: Ben Duckett’s 121* off 142 balls, with 13 boundaries, set the tone for England’s Bazball approach.
- Prasidh’s Breakthrough: Prasidh Krishna’s double strike (Crawley and Pope) in quick succession swung momentum back to India.
- Rain Drama: A brief interruption in the second session saw covers come on at 181/0, but play resumed with no overs lost.
- Root’s Survival: A missed run-out chance by Nitish Kumar Reddy kept Joe Root (2*) at the crease, a potential game-changer.
The Pitch and Conditions
The Headingley pitch is showing signs of wear, with variable bounce and turn from the footholes, favoring spinners like Ravindra Jadeja. Reverse swing was evident in Prasidh’s spell, and Bumrah will likely exploit this on Day 5. However, the surface remains decent for batting, giving England hope. Rain remains a threat, with intermittent showers forecast, which could force a draw if significant time is lost.
What’s Next on Day 5?
England need 156 runs in 55 overs to pull off their second-highest successful chase (behind 378/3 at Edgbaston in 2022). With Duckett in sublime form and Root’s experience at the crease, England’s aggressive “Bazball” philosophy makes them favorites, but India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah and Jadeja, will target early wickets to trigger a collapse. The highest successful chase at Headingley is Australia’s 404/3 in 1948, and England will need to channel that spirit to win. A draw looms if rain disrupts play, but with all four results possible, the final day promises high drama.
Why This Matters
This Test is a battle of contrasting styles: India’s resilience, led by Pant’s flamboyance and Rahul’s grit, against England’s fearless Bazball approach. Pant’s historic twin centuries and Rahul’s masterclass gave India a commanding lead, but their late collapse and England’s strong start have set up a blockbuster finish. India’s lower-order fragility remains a concern, while England’s ability to chase big totals under Ben Stokes gives them confidence. As the first of five Tests, this match could set the tone for the series.
Looking Ahead
Will England’s openers and Root defy history to chase down 371? Or will Bumrah and Jadeja turn the screws on a tricky pitch? With rain adding uncertainty, Day 5 at Headingley, starting at 11:00 BST (3:30 PM IST), is a must-watch. Share your predictions for this epic finale!
Disclaimer and Sources: The information in this blog is based on official announcements, live updates, and reports available as of June 24, 2025. The views expressed are for informational purposes and do not reflect official statements from all parties involved.
