Tuesday, June 24, 2025

First Test: India fall short at Headingley against England

Ben Duckett's 149 set the stage for England's
successful chase of 371. Reuters/India Today
India lost the opening Test of the England series at Headingley by five wickets, but honestly, it was one of the most entertaining matches I’ve watched in a while.

It wasn’t a one-sided affair. Plenty of runs were scored, and despite a few rain interruptions, the Test still yielded a result.

When England won the toss and put India into bat, there were plenty of doubts about how well the team, without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, would hold up.

All but three failed

Three superb centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Shubman Gill (147), and Rishabh Pant (134) raised hopes early. 

But here's the catch: those three alone accounted for 81% of India’s first-innings total of 471. That says a lot.

Jasprit Bumrah stood out

India’s bowling attack was supposed to outshine England’s. Yet, England nearly matched India's total, conceding a mere six-run lead.

Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant. He picked up five wickets for 83 runs in 24.4 overs. 

But Prasidh Krishna proved far too expensive, leaking 128 runs in 20 overs while taking three wickets. Mohammad Siraj also underwhelmed, giving away 122 runs in 27 overs for just two wickets.

Same story again

In the second innings, India's batting faltered again. Rishabh Pant sparkled once more with another century (118), and K. L. Rahul chipped in with 137. But together, they made up 70% of our total score of 364. The rest just didn’t deliver.

Chasing 371 with more than a day left, England never looked threatened. If anything, rain posed a bigger danger to them than India's bowlers.

A convincing victory

With ample time, England’s batters stayed calm and composed, needing just four runs an over. 

As long as they kept wickets in hand, the task was straightforward. Despite India's best efforts, England’s top order remained resolute.

Ben Duckett set the stage with 149. Zak Crawley scored 65 leaving Joe Root (53 not out) and Jamie Smith (44 not out) to steer the team past the mark with ample overs and time left.


20 comments:

  1. My opinion is bowling is weak on both sides. A total of 1673 runs were scored. I would say in a test match (when both sides strong) total score should be 1000 to 1400 runs. Time to make bowling change on both teams.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, bowling of both sides didn't come up to the mark. Also, our batsmen didn't click as a team.

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  2. The four dropped catches by Jaiswal nullified his contribution with the bat and enabled a victory for England.

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    Replies
    1. Hi KP - No wonder they say, "Catches win matches."

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  3. Hari Om
    A good summary of an entertaining first match... hope the 'summer' keeps things warm and fun! YAM xx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Yamini - I am sure this will be an entertaining series.

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  4. This is all a bit of a mystery to me, Pradeep. Cricket is played here in Canada, but sparingly and by immigrants from former British colonies, with many teams from the Caribbean and from India and Pakistan. Perhaps this is the most enduring legacy of the British Empire!

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    Replies
    1. I do understand, David, that cricket, unlike football, is not all that popular around the world. It's mainly a British export, and it's hugely popular here in India, more than probably in Britain!
      My blog might have a few posts on cricket, which you are free to skip!
      Just as you are not familiar with cricket, I am not familiar with baseball and rugby. They aren't played in India at all.

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  5. So sorry. Maybe next time they'll be better?

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  6. Oh, reading this took me back to many stays with my friends from India. Hearing what was happening through them and their understanding (I had none) was entertaining!

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  7. Now you got me wondering how many games start with toss of coin.

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    Replies
    1. That's a good question! ... Let me see if I can figure out the answer!

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  8. It seems to me that the game was passionate and exciting! Sorry about the score.

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    Replies
    1. Hopefully, India will play better in the next match!

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  9. If you're passionate about cricket and following your own team, it must be distressing if they lose.. better luck next time?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it was disappointing. Hopefully there will be a favourable result in the next match!

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  10. Cricket is not my game and I never watch it. Despite your team losing I am glad you enjoyed the game.

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    Replies
    1. I do understand that cricket is not a very popular game across the world. Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and for your comment.

      Delete

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