Sanjay Manjrekar, a former India batsman, provided analysis of the crucial Day 5 session of the 1st Test between India and England. India encountered difficulties against England, allowing the hosts to reach 181/0 before rain halted play. England successfully pursued the remaining runs, winning the game and taking an early lead in the series.
Manjrekar shared his perspective, stating, “Are England suddenly favourites? Before the session, I had it at 70-30 in India’s favour. After this, I’d call it 50-50. Not dramatically down to 30-70, because we still have the Jasprit Bumrah factor and England’s unpredictable weather. The pitch had gone to sleep-it had nothing to do with how India bowled. Even Bumrah got nothing out of it. Maybe it was the heavy roller effect. Hopefully, after lunch, the surface livens up and India can pick up a couple of wickets. But England’s real threat is their temperament in a fourth-innings chase.”
The 1st Test of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds, concluded with England defeating India. England achieved the second-highest Test chase on English soil, successfully pursuing 371 runs while losing only five wickets. Ben Duckett’s impressive 149 runs were a highlight. India became the first team in 148 years of Test cricket to have five centurions in a match but still suffer a loss. Rishabh Pant scored centuries in both innings, with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul also contributing centuries, though their performances didn’t result in a win. This match marked Gill’s first Test loss as captain.