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Oh no! A Test for the ages, but England take the honours

By Mumbai Indians

The India tour of England 2025 started on a slightly disappointing note as the home team took the lead after winning the curtain raiser by five wickets.

Shubman Gill and Co. began on the front foot with the bat in what was a riveting battle of bat and ball between two 🔝 teams over five days. In the end, it was England who pocketed the bragging rights.

Here’s how the encounter unfolded at Leeds:

DAY 1 | A Yashasvi and Shub beginning

It was a Call an Ambulance… But not for me-kinda start in Leeds as Indian batters enjoyed a terrific time in the middle, anchored by Jaisu and Gill’s masterclass knocks. 🤩

While the Southpaw smashed a scintillating ton (101) in his first-ever outing on English soil; the new Test skipper made his intentions clear to record a century (127*) on his captaincy debut, entering an elite list of Indian legends to do so.

Towards the end of the day’s play, some Rishab-panti (65*) powered Team India to a strong finish.

📝 Stumps, Day 1: 🇮🇳 - 359/3 (85 overs)

DAY 2 | Pant-astic day at the office

Adding 69 runs to his unbeaten 65 overnight, Rishabh Pant played some 🔥 shots en route to his seventh century in the longest format of the game. Moreover, the vice-captain also set a record, surpassing the legendary MS Dhoni in the process… ⤵️

Shortly after Lunch, the Indian Innings culminated at 471/10. Coming out to bowl, the visitors didn’t take long to make the inroads as BOOM BOOM Bumrah got the better of Zak Crawley in the first over itself.

However, the Englishmen steadied the ship, courtesy of Ben Duckett’s fifty and Ollie Pope’s unbeaten century. Our Asian Treasure, nonetheless, kept things in check, accounting for all three of England’s wickets at the Close of Day 2.

📝 Stumps, Day 2: 🇽🇪 - 209/3 (49 overs) trail by 262 runs.

DAY 3 | BOOOOOM, the pendulum hangs in balance

If getting breakthroughs at will is an art, then BUMRAH is certainly the Picasso of it. 🫡

Through a challenging day in the field, it was the pace spearhead who kept the English batters at bay with yet another five-wicket haul. He was ably supported by Prasidh Krishna and Mohd. Siraj, who shared the other five wickets between them.

Following England’s 465/10, the Indian cricket team pocketed a narrow six-run lead. KL Rahul remained untouched on 47 whereas Sai Sudharsan collected his first runs on debut, scoring 30 off 48. 🙌

📝 Stumps, Day 3: 🇮🇳 - 90/2 (23.5 overs) lead by 96 runs.

DAY 4 | Tum bohot mast kaam karta hai, KL aur Rishabh bhai!

Nowadays, no total is safe enough to defend in the final innings of a Test and it looked as if that’s exactly what's on the minds of the KL-Pant duo.

Outcome? A staggering 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket while completing their respective hundreds! 👏 The home team seemingly looked frustrated as India stretched their lead to 370 runs, setting a 371-run target.

The Ben Stokes-led side navigated the final few minutes of the day to set up an enticing final day, with 350 runs and 10 wickets standing between the triumphant side.

📝 Stumps, Day 4: 🇽🇪 - 21/0 (6 overs) need 350 runs to win.

DAY 5 | Alas, fate had other ideas…

Final day. Still anyone’s match. Both teams pumped up. Classic Test cricket setting. 🤙

Unfortunately, it was a gloomy outing for the Indians, who were overpowered by the hosts’ resilience despite that brief four-wicket burst in the second session.

 

Brief scores: India 471/10 (Shubman Gill 147, Ben Stokes 4/66) and 364/10 (KL Rahul 137, Josh Tongue 3/72) lost to England 465/10 (Ollie Pope 106, Bumrah 5/83) and 373/5 (Ben Duckett 149, Shardul Thakur 2/51) by five wickets.