India Vs England, 1st Test Review: Key Takeaways From Headingley

England continued their love affair with epic run chases at Headingley, pulling off a remarkable five-wicket win over India in the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Chasing a daunting 371, Ben Duckett's scintillating 149 and Jamie Smith's cool-headed finishing touch saw the hosts romp home in just 82 overs.

It marked England’s sixth straight Test win at Leeds — all after bowling first — and gave them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. For India, who had all the major boxes ticked with centuries from Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul, and a five-wicket haul from Jasprit Bumrah, this was a bitter defeat — one that slipped through fingers both literally and figuratively.

Question Over Lower-order Contribution

Captain Shubman Gill, in his first Test leading the side, saw his debut unravel after a promising start. India had the upper hand multiple times — 430/3 in the first innings before collapsing to 471, then again at 333/4 in the second before another dramatic slump to 364 all out.

Their lower order contributed just nine runs across both innings, exposing a glaring lack of application. Shardul Thakur, picked for his all-round value, played two reckless shots in both innings. The contrast with England’s lower order — Jamie Smith, Woakes, and Carse all chipping in with meaningful runs — could not have been starker.

Not Even Sloppy - It Was Poor Fielding

India’s fielding was arguably the biggest letdown, with more dropped catches than any team in a Test in England in two decades. Jaiswal alone put down four, allowing Duckett, Pope, and Brook extra lives that England fully capitalised on. In the fourth innings, India also seemed devoid of a consistent bowling plan.

Siraj, the best bowler on the final day, wasn't used from overs 42 to 80. Bumrah, understandably off his best, received little support. Jadeja’s adjustment in line came too late, while Gill at times appeared absent from leadership responsibilities, with Pant and KL Rahul more vocal in setting fields and rotating bowlers.

Positives For India

Despite the heartbreak, there were positives for India. Pant's back-to-back centuries made him the first Indian to score twin tons in a Test in England, his fearless strokeplay unsettling England’s bowlers. Gill became the youngest Indian captain to score a fifty on Test captaincy debut, and Jaiswal showed his class with a hundred in the first innings. But all that brilliance was undone by collective sloppiness — be it in fielding, planning, or tail-end resistance.

Five Centuries On Losing Cause

India created an unwanted piece of history by becoming the first team in first-class cricket — not just Test matches — to score five centuries in a game and still end up on the losing side. After being put in to bat, centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant powered them to a commanding 430/3, but a sudden collapse saw them bowled out for 471.

In the second innings, KL Rahul and Pant again struck fluent tons, taking India to a strong 333/4, before yet another middle and lower-order failure led to their downfall at 364 — a collapse that ultimately proved decisive in the five-wicket defeat.

India Vs England, 1st Test: Five Takeaways

• India’s Lower-Order Collapse is Costing Them Matches
  India’s tail folded for nine runs across both innings. While collapses happen, the manner of dismissals — expansive, careless shots — with set batters at the other end showed a lack of responsibility. In contrast, England's lower order added crucial runs, helping them close the deficit and build pressure.

• Fielding Will Decide the Series
  India dropped multiple chances at critical moments. Jaiswal’s four drops — including twice off Duckett — allowed England's batters to run away with the game. With tight margins expected through the series, India simply cannot afford such lapses again.

• Gill’s Captaincy Faces Early Test Of Fire
  Shubman Gill showed promise as a batter but looked under pressure as captain. A lack of proactive field placements, passive body language, and questionable bowling changes highlighted growing pains. He must now find the balance between calm leadership and firm accountability.

• England’s Depth With The Bat Makes The Difference
  While India’s lower order crumbled across both innings, England’s tail wagged just enough to tilt the balance. Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, and Brydon Carse all chipped in after top-order contributions from Pope and Brook, helping England recover from 276/5 to nearly match India’s first-innings total. Their ability to extract runs from every position in the batting order ensured they stayed level and eventually took control of the match.

• Rahul And Jaiswal Offer Hope Amid Transition
  In a post-Kohli, post-Rohit era, India’s opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a standout performance under pressure. Their composed 91-run partnership on Day 1 in overcast Leeds conditions set the tone for a strong first innings. Jaiswal’s elegant century and Rahul’s assured technique provided much-needed stability at the top, offering a glimpse of a promising future for India’s batting in transition.

As the dust settles on an unforgettable Headingley classic, India will have to regroup quickly. They had enough brilliance to win — but not the discipline to close the door. With England 1-0 up, the visitors now have a steep mental and tactical climb ahead.