As the first session of Day 5 at Headingley came to a close, the England dressing room would have gone in for lunch with a strong sense of satisfaction and growing belief. Chasing a formidable target of 371, England finished the morning session at 117 without loss, with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley putting on a composed and assertive partnership. Their effort has not only laid the groundwork for a possible historic chase but also left the match finely poised for an electrifying finish.
Duckett, unbeaten on 64 from 89 deliveries, was the aggressor-in-chief. From the moment he walked out to bat on the final day, he looked positive in his intent, unfazed by the scoreboard pressure or India’s much-vaunted bowling attack. He drove confidently through the covers, punished anything short with pulls and cuts, and swept with great effect against spin. What stood out was his clarity — he knew where to score, when to defend, and never allowed the bowlers to settle.
At the other end, Zak Crawley played the perfect foil, anchoring the innings with a calm, patient knock of 42 not out off 94 balls. His watchfulness outside off-stump, particularly against Jasprit Bumrah’s probing lines, helped blunt the early threat. Crawley looked composed even when India tried different angles and field setups, showing good judgment and technique, especially against Jadeja’s turn from the rough.
For India, the morning was frustrating. Starting the day with a lead of over 250 runs and six wickets to defend, they would have hoped for early inroads to unsettle England’s chase. Bumrah bowled with typical intensity, beating the bat on multiple occasions, while Siraj and Krishna toiled hard without success. Ravindra Jadeja got some purchase off the pitch but lacked consistent support in terms of pressure from the other end.
Shubman Gill tried every tactical move in his arsenal — rotating bowlers, altering field positions, and even deploying close catchers to put psychological pressure on the batters. But Duckett and Crawley stood tall, matching every challenge with composure and resolve. India’s only half-chances came in the form of two minor misfields and a sharp edge that fell just short of first slip.
The Leeds pitch, while showing signs of wear, still held together enough to support stroke play and reward batters who applied themselves. England have capitalized on that, scoring at a brisk rate without taking unnecessary risks. With the required runs dipping below 260 after lunch and all ten wickets intact, belief in the English camp will only be growing.
However, Test cricket’s beauty lies in how quickly things can change. A quick couple of wickets after lunch could tilt the balance instantly in India’s favour, while another dominant session for England could bring them within touching distance of a famous win.
With everything to play for and both teams hungry for a result, the next session at Headingley promises to be a thriller. The battle of nerves, skill, and stamina resumes soon — and fans can expect fireworks.
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