If you've ever wondered how modern-day Test cricket drama unfolds between two of the most intense rivals in the game, the 1st Test of the India tour of England 2025 is your answer.
The clash between India and England at Headingley, Leeds, was nothing short of epic—featuring centuries, dropped catches, rain interruptions, and a historic run chase. As the dust settles on Day 5, one thing is clear: this series is going to be a classic. In this blog, we break down the key moments, pitch conditions, player performances, and most importantly, our India vs England 2025 predictions for the remaining matches of the series.
The opening Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy took place at Headingley, Leeds from June 20 to 24. The high-stakes battle saw India and England putting on a cricketing spectacle. With India scoring 471 and 364 in their two innings and England replying with 465 and 373/5, the hosts completed a record-breaking 371-run chase—the second-highest ever on English soil.
India had the advantage after Day 3 but a resilient Ben Duckett led England's remarkable Day 5 comeback with a stunning 149. Despite five Indian batters—Pant (twice), Gill, Jaiswal, and Rahul—reaching triple figures during the match, England sealed the win with five wickets to spare.
Match: England vs India, 1st Test, 2025
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
Dates: June 20-24, 2025
Series: Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (5-match series)
Headingley is known for producing fast, bouncy tracks with plenty of movement for seamers. In this Test, the pitch remained true with some variable bounce as the match progressed. Batters enjoyed decent carry, but bowlers who hit the deck hard also got rewards. Jasprit Bumrah picked a five-wicket haul in the first innings, showing the pitch still had life.
Weather played a crucial role. Day 2 and Day 3 were interrupted by rain, leading to lost overs and momentum shifts. The final day was forecasted for heavy showers but remained mostly dry, allowing England to chase down the target.
Total Tests: 135
India Wins: 33
England Wins: 51
Drawn: 51
Last Series in England (2021-23): Drawn 2-2
India Predicted XI: 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal 2. KL Rahul 3. B. Sai Sudharsan 4. Shubman Gill (C) 5. Rishabh Pant (WK) 6. Karun Nair 7. Ravindra Jadeja 8. Shardul Thakur 9. Jasprit Bumrah 10. Mohammed Siraj 11. Prasidh Krishna
England Predicted XI: 1. Zak Crawley 2. Ben Duckett 3. Ollie Pope 4. Joe Root 5. Harry Brook 6. Ben Stokes (C) 7. Jamie Smith (WK) 8. Chris Woakes 9. Brydon Carse 10. Josh Tongue 11. Shoaib Bashir
Ben Duckett (ENG): The England opener stole the show with a majestic 149 in the second innings, anchoring the record chase.
Rishabh Pant (IND): Scored centuries in both innings, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to achieve this feat in a Test. His aggressive approach kept England under pressure.
Jasprit Bumrah (IND): Claimed 5 wickets in the first innings and bowled with discipline and control. However, he lacked enough support from the fielders, as India dropped four crucial catches.
Shubman Gill (IND): The newly appointed Test captain scored a century but will rue some questionable field placements and missed chances that allowed England to stay in the game.
Tactical Takeaways
India’s Missed Opportunities: Dropped catches and inconsistent bowling lengths allowed England to come back into the game. Despite putting up 835 runs across both innings, India couldn't apply enough scoreboard pressure.
England’s Grit: Their middle order showed great resolve, with Pope, Root, and Brook supporting Duckett's onslaught in the fourth innings.
Stokes’ Captaincy: Bold field placements and timely bowling changes helped restrict India in the second innings to a chaseable target.
Before the match, most experts predicted an even contest, with some edge to England due to home conditions. Gemini AI suggested England had a slight advantage because of their ability to chase big totals, and that prediction proved accurate.
Betting Odds and Market Sentiment
Pre-Match Odds:
India: 2.20
England: 2.40
Draw: 3.00
Day 3 In-Play Odds:
India: 1.80
England: 3.20
Draw: 2.10
By Day 4, the odds shifted dramatically in favor of England after India’s top-order collapse in the second innings. Traders on prediction platforms like HaaNaa who trusted England's fourth-innings chasing ability would have earned big returns.
What Lies Ahead in the Series
With England taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, the pressure is now on India to bounce back. The next Test will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester—a venue known for its spin-friendly surface later in the game. India may consider adding another spinner to the squad or re-evaluate their fast-bowling lineup to better counter the English batters.
India Must Improve Fielding: Four dropped catches in one innings is unacceptable at this level. They need sharper reflexes and better communication.
Pant and Rahul Are Key: Both batters are in tremendous form. If they continue their consistency, India can put up big scores.
England’s Momentum: With the crowd, confidence, and batting depth on their side, England start favorites for the 2nd Test.
1st Test Match Prediction Verdict: Despite India putting up big runs, England's tenacity and efficient run-chasing give them the upper hand. Expect the momentum to stay with England unless India delivers a near-perfect performance in the 2nd Test.
The India tour of England 2025 has started with a bang. If the 1st Test is anything to go by, we’re in for a fiercely fought series filled with world-class performances, strategic brilliance, and unpredictable outcomes. Whether you're watching as a fan or participating in opinion trading platforms, stay tuned. Use your knowledge, back your instincts, and keep an eye on pitch reports, weather conditions, and player form for smart, skill-based predictions.
How did England's strategic bowling changes lead to their victory in the 1st Test? England won the first Test match against India at Headingley, Leeds, by chasing a huge target of 371 runs, the second-highest ever in England. Even though five Indian players scored centuries and Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets, England’s strong batting, led by Ben Duckett’s 149 runs, changed the game. Other players like Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook helped Duckett with steady batting under pressure. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, made smart decisions with field placements and bowling changes, which kept India’s score manageable. England also took advantage of India’s mistakes, like dropped catches and uneven bowling, to secure a five-wicket win.
This win gives England a 1-0 lead in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series and promises a tough competition ahead. The match showed how well England adapts to home conditions and their strong batting in the final innings, which helped them beat India’s big total.
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