The 1st Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, Leeds, concluded on June 24, 2025, with England producing a thrilling 5-wicket win, chasing down 371 to seal the 1-0 advantage in the five-match series. Day 5 was a cliffhanger, with Ben Duckett's blistering century propelling England's Bazball storm, as India's fielding lapses cost dearly. For starexch users, this last day was a masterclass lesson in Test cricket suspense, with both brilliance and heartbreak on display.

Day 5 Review

England's Power-packed Start: Bouncing back at 21/0, England's opening pair Zak Crawley (65 off 113) and Ben Duckett (149 off 164) set the field alight with a 188-run partnership in 42.2 overs. Duckett was unstoppable, sprinting to his sixth Test century at a strike rate of almost 100, his reverse sweeps off Ravindra Jadeja and aggressive cuts off Prasidh Krishna setting the tone. Crawley was the supporting act, hitting beautifully before clipping Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant. Starexch chatter ignited over Duckett's rebellious knock, which flipped the chase in England's favour.

India's Brief Comeback: India were back in business after lunch, with Thakur taking two wickets in two deliveries. He got rid of Duckett (149), caught short cover, and Harry Brook (0), gloved down leg, just missing a hat-trick as Ben Stokes reprieved. Ollie Pope (22) was caught behind by Krishna, taking England to 269/4 at tea, with 102 required. Jasprit Bumrah, in a hot spell of bowling, remained wicketless in the pursuit, a rare hiccup after his 5/83 in the first innings. Shubman Gill's captaincy came under criticism for frittering away India's last two reviews on optimistic lbw appeals against Stokes and Joe Root.

England's Clinical Finish: Joe Root (53* off 84 balls) and Jamie Smith (44* off 55 balls) over did the chase with an unbroken 71-run stand. Root's unruffled defiance went hand in hand with Smith's bravado, two towering sixes off Jadeja – one being a match-winning lofted drive over mid-on – triggering rampant celebrations. England were 373/5 off 82 overs, their sixth consecutive Test victory at Headingley and the fourth-highest successful run-chase at the ground (322, 359, 296). The match's 1,673-run total was a new record for India-England Tests.

India's Expensive Mistakes: India's loss rested on six dropped chances, three by Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of whom was Duckett on 97, who turned out to be a game-changer. Despite five centuries (Jaiswal 101, Gill 147, Pant 134 in the first innings; Rahul 137, Pant 118 in the second), India’s twin collapses (7/41 in the first innings, 6/16 in the second) and Jadeja’s ineffective 0/81 in the chase hurt their cause. Gill, reflecting on his captaincy debut, admitted the team faltered in “crucial moments.” Starexch fans noted the promise in India’s young batters but lamented their fielding lapses.

For supporters following the game, best cricket exchange sites offer an interactive means of remaining involved in the match's turn of events.

Turning Point: Duckett's 149, hanging on after being dropped on 97, turned the tide conclusively. Smith's six and boundary off Jadeja in the 82nd over confirmed England's victory, highlighting Bazball's ferocious temperament.

Why Starexch Increases the Thrill

Starexch made Day 5 one for the books with live updates, player performances, and spirited community discussions. Duckett's boundary onslaught, Root's patient fifty, and India's woes in the field were monitored by fans, with analysis of Pant's record twin centuries (the first Indian wicketkeeper to do this in England) and Bumrah's genius. Starexch is the go-to place for cricket fans to rewind the action and analyze every turning point.

Conclusion: England Strike First

England's 5-wicket win, driven by Duckett's brilliance and Root-Smith's calmness, started the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on a high note. For India, Gill's maiden captaincy stint ended in despair, as errors in fielding overshadowed their batting wizardry. As England bask in their Bazball magic, India need to get back on track for the 2nd Test at Edgbaston on July 2. Catch up with Starexch to stay engaged. The war has just started!