ENG vs IND: Three key reasons why India lost first Test match at Leeds, Headingley

India’s much-anticipated new era in Test cricket under Shubman Gill got off to a rocky start as England pulled off a stunning five-wicket win in the first Test at Headingley. Chasing a massive target of 371 — the second-highest successful run chase in their Test history—England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Ben Duckett’s aggressive 149, helped by Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and debutant Jamie Smith, revealed India’s many weaknesses. It wasn’t as though the visitors were denied victory by a lack of runs—four Indian batters made centuries, and they enjoyed a dominant position in the first innings—but they failed, again, through their own mistakes. Here are three reasons for India’s defeat.

1. Batting Collapses at Crunch Moments

India posted a massive 471 in the first innings and followed up with 364 in the second. But the scorecard doesn’t reveal the collapses that proved pivotal. They were 430/3 in the first innings but lost their last seven wickets for 41 runs. The same trend was followed in the second innings, folding from 333/5 to 364 all out. Debutant Sai Sudharsan and comeback man Karun Nair wasted opportunities, and the lower order could not provide resistance. These late-evening breakdowns cost India a chance to set an unreachable target.

2. Fielding Failures and Dropped Catches

India’s fielding let them down badly, especially in the second innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped four catches—the most by a player in a single Test innings—including a sitter when Ben Duckett was on 97. Duckett capitalized on the reprieve to score 149 and swing the game decisively in England’s favor. The missed chances shifted momentum in England’s favor. Even beyond Jaiswal, the slip cordon looked shaky, Rishabh Pant was inconsistent behind the stumps, and the overall fielding energy seemed flat. Some fans even mocked Jaiswal on X after a viral video showed him dancing near the boundary right after dropping Duckett’s catch, further fueling criticism.

See Also: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 1st Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal dances after dropping 4 catches, gets trolled online

3. Unbalanced and Ineffective Bowling Attack

India’s bowling lacked sharpness in the final innings. Jasprit Bumrah collected 5/83 in the first innings but was blunted on Day 5. The other part of the attack—Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna—was unable to make consistent impacts. Shardul’s inclusion for his batting didn’t justify his ineffectiveness with the ball, and Prasidh looked rusty. Ravindra Jadeja couldn't control the middle overs either. With no wrist-spinner or extra pacer in sight, India’s attack lacked bite and variety to break England’s resolve.

While this Headingley loss isn’t a disaster, it’s a sharp reminder of where India stands in transition. The team has talent, but plugging middle-order gaps, lifting fielding standards, and building bowling depth will be critical as they head to Birmingham for the second Test.