India’s proud record of defending 350-plus targets in Test cricket is under serious threat once again, as the first Test of the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Headingley enters a thrilling final session.
Historically, India have been dominant when defending big fourth-innings totals — having successfully defended 350 or more 42 times out of 59 occasions, losing just once. But that one defeat? It came in 2022, against this very England side.
The Edgbaston Test, 2022
Back then, at Edgbaston, England chased down 378 runs with astonishing ease, thanks to a stunning 269-run unbeaten stand between Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. That was England’s highest-ever successful chase and the eighth-highest in Test history.
On that occasion, India’s formidable bowling unit — led by Bumrah, Shami, and Jadeja — had no answers to the free-flowing strokeplay of Root (142*) and Bairstow (114*), as England romped home with seven wickets in hand and nearly four sessions to spare.
Leeds, 2025
Fast forward to Leeds 2025, and the threat of another repeat looms large. Set a massive 371 for victory after centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and a gritty 364-run second-innings total, England responded with trademark “Bazball” flair. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett launched an all-out assault, compiling a record 188-run stand to keep India at bay.
While Duckett’s 149 was the cornerstone of the chase, it took an inspired bowling change by skipper Shubman Gill to bring India back into the contest. Shardul Thakur, quiet throughout the match, turned the tide with two wickets in two balls — dismissing Duckett and Harry Brook to jolt the English camp. Prasidh Krishna chipped in earlier with crucial scalps of Crawley and Ollie Pope to set the stage for a nervy finish.
At Tea on Day 5, England stand at 269/4, needing another 102 runs with six wickets in hand. Joe Root and Ben Stokes — heroes of many chases — are at the crease, holding England’s hopes. India, meanwhile, look to maintain their incredible record of defending daunting fourth-innings totals — a legacy they’d desperately want to preserve after the heartbreak of Edgbaston.
