Introduction: india national cricket team vs england cricket team match scorecard
What a match. What a chase. What a statement.
In a thriller that had fans gripping the edge of their seats, England pulled off a record-breaking Day 5 run-chase at Headingley, chasing down a steep target of 371 with astonishing confidence to win by 5 wickets. The final score: England 373/5 in just 82 overs. Test cricket, take a bow.
Let’s dive into the highs, lows, and turning points of a match that may go down as one of the most memorable in recent years.
Table of Contents
Match Summary
- Match: India vs England – Test at Headingley, Leeds (July 2025)
- Result: England won by 5 wickets
- Player of the Match: Ben Duckett – 149 off 170 balls
- India 1st Innings: 471 all out
- England 1st Innings: 465 all out
- India 2nd Innings: 364 all out
- England 2nd Innings (Target 371): 373/5 in 82 overs
India’s Commanding Start: A First Innings Masterclass
After being asked to bat first on a lively Headingley pitch, India couldn’t have asked for a better start. Led by a stunning century from Shubman Gill (147) and an aggressive Rishabh Pant (134), India piled on the runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with a well-made 101, and for the first time in the match, India looked to be in total control.
However, once the middle order collapsed post-430, the tail folded quickly, leaving India with 471—a fantastic total but perhaps 30–40 short of where they looked headed.
Standout Moments:
- Gill and Pant stitched together a game-defining partnership.
- England’s Stokes (4/66) and Tongue (4/86) triggered a lower-order collapse.
England’s Counterattack: Matching Fire with Fire
England weren’t going to back down. Ollie Pope (106) and Harry Brook (agonizingly out on 99) led the charge with class and aggression. England’s batting was fearless, calculated, and rooted in belief—a signature of the Bazball era.
While Jasprit Bumrah picked up a fiery five-for (5/83), India’s bowlers couldn’t apply enough pressure on both ends, and England matched the hosts almost run-for-run, closing at 465—just six runs shy.
India’s Second Innings: A Mixed Bag
With a slight lead, India had the chance to bat England out of the match. And for a while, it looked like they would. KL Rahul (137) was patient and composed, while Pant once again entertained with a sparkling 118. But once again, the lower order collapsed dramatically—from 333/4 to 364 all out.
That left England chasing 371, a daunting task, especially on a fifth-day pitch. But under the new regime, no target is too high, and the final chapter of the match was about to explode.
England’s Sensational Chase: History Rewritten
England didn’t just chase down 371. They hunted it down with intent, finishing at 373/5 in only 82 overs. It was the second-highest successful Day 5 chase in Test history—and the highest ever against India.
Ben Duckett was simply unstoppable. His 149 off 170 balls was a masterclass in controlled aggression, peppered with boundaries all around the ground. He found strong support from Zak Crawley (65), who set the tone with an opening stand of 188.
After a brief middle-order stumble, Joe Root (53)* and Jamie Smith (44)* calmly took England across the finish line, sealing a win that will be remembered for generations.
Captain’s Corner
Ben Stokes (England Captain):
“That was one of the best chases I’ve seen. We knew if we stuck to our approach, anything was possible. Duckett was just incredible. The belief in this side is unbelievable right now.”
Shubman Gill (India Captain):
“Tough loss. We were in the game until the end, but those missed chances and tail-end collapses hurt. Still proud of the fight shown by our top order.”
Player of the Match – Ben Duckett
There was only ever going to be one name. Duckett’s 149 was the knock that shattered Indian hopes. His reverse sweeps, fearless footwork, and unwavering confidence made life difficult for every bowler. It was a performance that not only turned the game but set a new standard.
Duckett said post-match:
“We knew we had to keep the tempo up and trust the process. Everyone contributed, but this was just one of those days where it all clicked for me.”
Key Stats from the Match
- 371 – England’s highest successful fourth-innings chase against India.
- 2nd highest Day 5 chase in Test history (only behind Australia’s 404 vs England in 1948).
- Duckett’s 149 – his highest Test score and one of the best match-defining innings in recent memory.
- India’s lower order – managed just 13 runs combined in their last six wickets in the second innings.
Reactions from Fans & Experts
The cricketing world erupted after the final ball:
- Michael Vaughan: “England’s best fourth-innings chase since Headingley 2019. Duckett is the real deal.”
- Sanjay Manjrekar: “India’s missed chances and tail-end frailty cost them dearly. Still, a series to watch.”
- Fan tweet: “Duckett, you beauty! Gill and Pant gave it everything. Test cricket is ALIVE.”
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just another Test match. It was a statement of intent, a chess match of strategy and nerves, and a display of brilliance from both teams.
England’s fearless chase at Headingley will echo in cricket history, not just for the numbers but for the audacity. For India, it’s a moment of reflection. They had their chances but let key moments slip. The top order did the hard work, but the lack of depth in the lower batting and costly fielding lapses proved too much.
