England on Tuesday pulled off one of their most memorable Test wins in recent years, chasing down a daunting target of 371 to beat India by five wickets on the final day of the first Test at Headingley. The hosts reached 373 for five in just 82 overs, sealing a thrilling win late on Day 5 and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

The match had all the ingredients of a classic, with India posting formidable scores in both innings, 471 in the first and 364 in the second, powered by centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. England, however, matched India’s intensity with a resilient first-innings reply of 465, built around solid contributions from Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Joe Root.

A staggering run chase from England in Leeds to go 1-0 up against India ?#WTC27 | #ENGvIND ?: https://t.co/FXxW1Hk8VO pic.twitter.com/7Zf3iUY9lr

— ICC (@ICC) June 24, 2025

With 350 runs needed on the final day and all ten wickets intact, the task seemed improbable. But England’s openers turned the game on its head with a sensational 188-run stand. Duckett led the charge with a fluent and authoritative century, taking on the Indian bowlers with an aggressive yet controlled approach. Crawley played a pivotal support role, frustrating India’s attack throughout the opening session.