India's Bowling Struggles as England's Openers Shine in Historic Test Match

On Day 5 of the first Test against England, India's bowlers struggled as the old ball lost its effectiveness, leading to frustrations. Meanwhile, England's openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, made history with a record-breaking partnership. This article delves into the match's key moments, including India's attempts to change the ball and the missed opportunities that could have altered the game's outcome. Discover how these events unfolded in this thrilling Test match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 24, 2025, 19:12 IST

India's Bowling Frustrations on Day 5

On the fifth day of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, India's bowlers expressed their frustration as the old ball lost its shine and pace. Jasprit Bumrah led the attack, but his fellow bowlers, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj, struggled to make significant breakthroughs or control the run rate.

India repeatedly requested the umpires to examine the ball, hoping it would fail the gauge test. Their persistence paid off when the ball was finally caught in the metal ring, much to their delight.

Ravindra Jadeja's reaction was telling; as the fourth umpire presented the replacement box, he exchanged a knowing wink with on-field umpire Chris Gaffaney, smiling and pumping his fist in a moment of triumph. This brief celebration highlighted India's eagerness to turn the match in their favor.

Shubman Gill's Leadership Under Scrutiny

Questions arose regarding Shubman Gill's leadership, particularly due to a lack of aggression and some puzzling bowling choices, including the delayed use of Shardul Thakur. With England needing 371 runs to win and starting Day 5 strongly, India was in desperate need of any advantage, and the ball change felt like a small victory.

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Historic Opening Stand by England

In a remarkable display, England's Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley established a record-breaking opening partnership during the fourth innings against India. Their unbeaten 168-run stand is now the highest for England in a home Test's fourth innings, surpassing the previous record of 154 runs set by Geoffrey Boycott and Mike Brearley against Australia in 1977.

Additionally, this match marked the first time both English openers scored over 50 runs in the fourth innings of a Test at Headingley, adding to their historic achievement.

India had a chance to break the partnership when Mohammed Siraj induced a loose shot from Duckett in the 39th over, but Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped the catch, allowing Duckett to continue and eventually reach his century.