India vs England 1st Test 2025 – A New Chapter Begins at Headingley

India vs England 1st Test 2025 – A New Chapter Begins at Headingley

Date: 20 June 2025
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
Match Type: 1st Test, India tour of England 2025

As the summer sun lit up Headingley on June 20th, 2025, cricket fans witnessed the dawn of a new era in red-ball cricket. The first Test match between India and England marked not only the beginning of a highly anticipated five-match series but also introduced new faces, a fresh captain, and a tribute to legends.

This match, contested for the newly announced Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, lived up to its promise on Day 1, offering solid batting, tactical bowling, and emotional moments that made it more than just a game.

Toss & Team News: England Elects to Bowl First

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss on a cloudy morning and chose to bowl first—an unsurprising decision given Headingley’s reputation for offering early swing. England fielded a strong bowling lineup featuring Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and young spinner Shoaib Bashir.

India, on the other hand, entered the field under new leadership. With Shubman Gill taking over the reins as Test captain, it was the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket. The team was a blend of experience and youth, with KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja forming the core. The spotlight, however, was on young debutant Sai Sudharsan, who was handed his maiden Test cap by veteran Cheteshwar Pujara.

India's Batting: Steady Start Amid Pressure

India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, began cautiously. Facing some disciplined bowling by Woakes and Carse, the duo took their time to get set. Jaiswal, known for his attacking style, hit the first boundary of the innings with a confident punch through the covers, settling the nerves in the Indian camp.

Rahul, playing the anchor’s role, rotated strike well and built a patient innings. However, England struck early with Carse removing Jaiswal for 32 after an inside edge onto the stumps.

The big moment came when debutant Sai Sudharsan walked in at No. 3. The young left-hander from Tamil Nadu looked composed, getting off the mark with a delightful on-drive. Though he was dismissed for 28, his calm presence hinted at a bright future.

India continued to build their innings with a gritty partnership between Gill and Rahul. Unfortunately, Gill fell to a sharp delivery from Woakes just after lunch.

Rishabh Pant & Jadeja Rescue the Middle Order

With India at 156/4, pressure was mounting. That’s when Rishabh Pant walked in and changed the momentum. Playing his trademark counter-attacking style, Pant struck boundaries to unsettle the bowlers. His footwork against spinner Bashir was especially impressive.

Ravindra Jadeja, playing the perfect support role, ensured the scoring didn't dry up. The duo’s unbeaten 85-run stand took India to 276/5 at stumps on Day 1, a strong position considering the initial conditions.

Pant remained not out at 65*, and Jadeja at 44*, giving India the upper hand going into Day 2.

England’s Bowling: Early Promise, Late Struggles

England’s bowlers started well but lacked consistency as the day progressed. Woakes was the pick of the bowlers, using the new ball effectively and finishing with two wickets. Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse showed pace and energy, but both were expensive at times.

Shoaib Bashir, playing only his 3rd Test, bowled economically but failed to take a wicket on Day 1. The lack of spin assistance didn’t help his cause, although his control was impressive for a young spinner.

Fielding was also a mixed bag for England, with a couple of dropped chances that could have shifted the game.

A Match Beyond Cricket: Tribute to Tragedy

Before the match began, both teams observed a minute of silence for the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash, which claimed 274 lives just days before the match. Players wore black armbands as a mark of respect, showing that cricket, while a sport, stands united in grief during national tragedies.

Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy: A Tribute to Greatness

This match was historic in more ways than one. It was the first Test to be played for the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, named after England’s most successful fast bowler James Anderson and India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. The renaming honors two modern-era icons who shaped the game and adds more meaning to an already intense rivalry.

What to Expect on Day 2

India will aim to stretch their total beyond 400, which could put England under scoreboard pressure. With Pant and Jadeja well set and Axar Patel and Bumrah to follow, India has the depth to push for a strong first-innings total.

England, meanwhile, needs early breakthroughs to get back into the contest. All eyes will be on how Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and the rest of the middle order respond once they get to bat.

Final Thoughts

Day 1 of the India vs England 1st Test 2025 was a blend of skill, emotion, and significance. With a fresh generation leading the charge, the match signals a transition for both teams.

For India, the debut of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill’s captaincy marks a confident start. For England, the challenge lies in their response with the bat in home conditions.

With four more days to go, fans are already on the edge of their seats—and if Day 1 is anything to go by, this Test will be one to remember.