England pull off 371-run chase to win Test opener against India
LEEDS: Opener Ben Duckett’s rapid-fire century powered England to a thrilling five-wicket win over India as they successfully chased down a challenging 371-run target in the first Test of the five-match series at Headingley on Tuesday.
England resumed their second innings at 21 without loss, with Duckett and fellow opener Zak Crawley taking control early on. The pair stitched together a dominant 188-run stand, providing a rock-solid platform for the chase.
Duckett took the attacking lead, reaching a vital century, while Crawley played a more measured innings, scoring 65 off 126 balls before being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna in the 43rd over.
Krishna struck again in his next over, removing first-innings centurion Ollie Pope for just eight, leaving England at 206/2.
Duckett was then joined by seasoned campaigner Joe Root, and the duo added 47 runs before Shardul Thakur turned the tide briefly for India. Thakur claimed two wickets in two deliveries, removing the well-set Duckett for 149 (170 balls, 21 fours, 1 six) and dismissing Harry Brook for a golden duck.
At 253/4 and still needing 118, England looked under pressure, but Root found an able partner in captain Ben Stokes. The pair put on 49 crucial runs for the fifth wicket, steadying the innings before Stokes fell to Ravindra Jadeja after scoring 33 off 51 balls with four boundaries.
Root then combined with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith in an unbroken 71-run stand that sealed the victory for the home side. Root finished unbeaten on 53 (84 balls), while Smith contributed a composed 44 not out off 55 deliveries.
Among Indian bowlers, Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna took two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed one.
