Ben Duckett powers England to effortless 5 wkt win over India in a 371 run chase

 

Team India Suffers Shocking Defeat in First Test Against England at Leeds

Team India faced a shocking defeat in the first Test match against England, despite a dominant batting performance. India scored 471 runs in the first innings and followed it up with 364 in the second, setting England a mammoth target of 371 runs. However, to the surprise of many, Shubman Gill’s side lost the match. On the other hand, England created history at Leeds by successfully chasing down their highest-ever target at the venue, clinching the win by five wickets.

How India Lost the Leeds Test

India had set a daunting target of 371 runs for England. On the fifth day, England still needed 350 runs to win — a scenario that few would have thought possible. But England’s openers had other plans. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley gave England a sensational start, both scoring more than fifty runs. Crawley made a superb  65, while Duckett went on to score a magnificent 149. Together, they put on a 188-run stand that put immense pressure on the Indian bowlers as they batted sensibly but never missed out on scoring opportunities as they cut drove & with aplomb. 

Prasidh Krishna broke the stand getting Crawley caught in  the slips & Pope (8) was bowled .

Ropt joined Ducket who was already batting well on hundred plus . Duckett finally departed for 149 having been dropped at 97 by Jaiswal . Brook lasted one ball as Shardul had him caught down the leg side but Root & Stokes settled down . 

Although India managed to pick up quick wickets in succession — Ollie Pope and Harry Brook falling on consecutive deliveries — the duo of Ben Stokes and Joe Root built a crucial half-century partnership that took the game away from India. Duckett, playing a career-best knock, scored 149, his sixth Test century. Root also contributed with a valuable half-century, while Stokes chipped in with 33 runs. Jamie Smith made 44 not out & quickly closed the game in the last stages . 

Bowling and Fielding Let India Down

While India’s batting shone in both innings, the same couldn't be said for their bowling and fielding in the second innings. Neither Jasprit Bumrah nor Mohammed Siraj, India’s premier fast bowlers, could take a single wicket. Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna managed two wickets each but were expensive. The bowling effort was further hampered by poor fielding — India dropped six catches in total, with Yashasvi Jaiswal alone putting down four.

Why This Defeat Hurts India Deeply

This loss is particularly painful for India for several reasons:

• India became the first team in Test cricket history to score five centuries in a match and still end up losing.
• England’s two highest successful run chases in Test history have both come against India.
• Shubman Gill has now joined a list of Indian captains — including Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah — who lost their debut Test as captain in the past 25 years.

Match Hero: Ben Duckett

England’s victory was powered by Ben Duckett, who was exceptional throughout the match. He scored 62 runs in the first innings and followed it up with a brilliant 149 in the second. His remarkable performance under pressure proved to be the turning point of the match.