ENG Win by Five Wickets | India vs England Highlights of 1st Test 2025 Day 5: Ben Duckett's Century, Joe Root and Zak Crawley's Half-Century Power Hosts to Clinical Victory

That's It! Fantastic chase from England and ended in style by Jamie Smith. With this win England take 1-0 lead in the series. This is their second highest chase in their history and the first one was also against India. Memorable batting performance this from England as they were chasing a big score. But Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett made sure there was no hiccups. When wickets finally fell, it was too late with Joe Root and Jamie Smith taking England home. India will have to do a lot to get back in the series. 

Joe Root came in at a time when India were creating some pressure on England and he immediately understood the demands of the situation and anchored the chase with Ben Stokes taking on the bowling from the other end. After Stokes' dismissal, Root carried on with Jamie Smith and the duo comfortably cruised through the remainder of the chase. Amid that, he also completed his half-century. 

Ben Stokes was looking to counter Ravindra Jadeja by playing reverse sweep like a forward defence. Although he got hold of it occasionally, it was still a very risky strategy and in the end, he lobbed one to the hands of the short third man. Ravindra Jadeja has peppered the rough on that side and troubled Stokes. Jamie Smith, on the other hand is posing a different challenge to Jadeja all-together being a right hander. 

Oh! Multiple things happened in one over and on the fifth day, it is Ravindra Jadeja whose bowling has ignited a bit of hope in Indian captain Shubman Gill. First hits the pads of Joe Root through an arm ball. Umpire gave not out and DRS showed wickets missing. India have burnt all their review now. The next ball, Jadeja turned square past Root's bat. Some runs also came from that over. Interesting phase of play. 

Just like the Test match has been so far, the weather gives another twist. Not only does the rain stops and covers come off, the sun comes out as with bright shine. We have a thrilling final session in out hands and a couple of moments can make it very interesting for either side. Fans will hope to see some solid action and potentially a thriller on the field. 

The Tea break is over and the umpires are out on the field with umbrellas looking for the rain to subside and restart the match. England need 102 runs and India needs 6 wickets to win. Both teams are strongly in the game but they will need time. The covers on the run up are coming off as it seems like the rain has toned down. 

The rain has re-arrived and Umpires have decided to take an early tea break. The covers are on and the match will resume when the rain will stop and the conditions will be fit to resume. The break came at a really tricky time where England were for the first time in this innings in a bit of pressure. Credits to Shardul Thakur who opened up the game by taking two wickets in two balls dismissing Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. England will want to calm themselves down in the break and finish the target in hand which is within touching distance. India would want to push a little more. 

Out! Twist! Shardul Thakur's golden arm finally comes in the play and he has got two in two. Bowls a dreadful delivery down the leg and Harry Brook tried to glance it. Only got a brush and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant had an easy catch. The game has turned in two balls and England will feel the pressure here.  Brook c Pant b Thakur 0(1).

Out! Finally India got the wicket they wanted. Ben Duckett departs with 118 still needed for England to win. He has been in the mood to take apart the Indian bowlers and was scoring at easy. Shardul Thakur bowls a juicy half-volley and Duckett goes for the drive, comes a bit slow and it got to the air for a bit and sub fielder Nitish Kumar Reddy took a very good catch. India have an opening again. Duckett c (sub) Nitish Reddy b Thakur 149(170).

Out! Is there a twist in the tale? Two wickets in quick succession after the break and it seems like the surface retained a bit of moisture from the rain. Prasidh Krishna hit the deck on good length and the ball jagged back in to clean up Ollie Pope. India found an opening here and they will just have to make it big from here on. Pope b Prasidh 8(8).

Out! Ultimately a breakthrough. The rain break must have broken the concentration of Zak Crawley. Prasidh Krishna pitched the ball up outside off-stump and Prasidh Krishna flashed his drive at it, only to get the outside edge and the ball travelled quickly to KL Rahul, who took a good catch. Crawley c Rahul b Prasidh 65(126).

The groundstaff had an idea that it was a passing shower and the play will be resumed soon and hence they were standing bye. As soon as the rain stopped, they removed the covers and the players are back on the field resuming the game. Fans will definitely want more action and not rain ruining what has been a great Test match. 

The umpires call in the covers as the drizzle which started a while ago has got heavier now. It is just enough for the players to leave the field and the covers to come in. England will be gutted given the rhythm they were in and the way runs were come in. India meanwhile, will be happy. Less then 200 runs to get now for England with ten wickets in hand and time available. They will hope the rain fades away soon. 

Hundred! Some moments in the nervous nineties and finally Ben Duckett breaks through them to get to his century. The ball was turning from Ravindra Jadeja and Duckett went for the reverse sweep to hit a boundary and get over his milestone. Really batted well and at times in a bit uncharacteristic way. He has got his rewards for it. 

Another drop and it is Yashasvi Jaiswal again. Oh, he must be finding areas to hide on the field. Ben Duckett pulled the short of length ball from Mohammed Siraj, didn't get all of it. Yashasvi Jaiswal ran in and dived and reached the ball, but the ball struck his hands and came off. Siraj was frustrated. He has bowled well but the luck has not favoured him. 

Fifty! Zak Crawley joins Ben Duckett in the last of half-centurions this innings. Got dismissed in the first innings due to a Jasprit Bumrah masterclass, but this time he has controlled his instincts and only punished the bad balls. Looked nervy near the start and also got dropped by Bumrah once, but he has made sure he capitalised on it. 

Fifty! Zak Crawley joins Ben Duckett in the last of half-centurions this innings. Got dismissed in the first innings due to a Jasprit Bumrah masterclass, but this time he has controlled his instincts and only punished the bad balls. Looked nervy near the start and also got dropped by Bumrah once, but he has made sure he capitalised on it. 

Lunch! End of a session that will keep England strongly in the game. They now need a little over 250 runs out of the last two sessions if rain doesn't interrupt and has ten wickets in their hand. India has bowled really well in the first session's first half but the change bowlers have not been consistent, leaking runs with loose deliveries. In the last over of the session, the England batters threw some tantrums to delay the over and Ben Duckett had an angry exchange with Mohammed Siraj. 

Dropped! Oh! Unlucky Jasprit Bumrah and India. Bumrah was bowling really well to Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. Hit the pads of Duckett, but got denied from the umpire. Then made Crawley drive one straight. Bumrah dived with his left hand stretched but the ball didn't stick. India would have fancied a wicket here. 

Fifty! Uncharacteristic from Ben Duckett. Defended for most part of the first session, missed two attempted ramp shots and still he got enough to get to his fifty. He has adapted to the requirements of the conditions and played accordingly. Got some momentum and got to his fifty as well. Unlike others, who try to make their starts big, Duckett will look to put as much of his contributions to England's attempt to win as he can.