[WATCH] ENG vs IND 1st Test: Mohammad Siraj and Zak Crawley heated exchange at Headingley

High drama unfolded at Headingley on Day 5 of the first Test as tensions boiled over between Mohammed Siraj and England opener Zak Crawley in the final over before lunch. With India desperate for a breakthrough and England cruising in their record chase of 371, emotions ran high. Siraj, eager to finish his over quickly and give Jasprit Bumrah the opportunity to bowl the final over of the session, rushed back to his mark. But just as he was about to bowl the sixth delivery of the 30th over, Crawley backed away at the last moment, pointing to movement near the sight screen.

The delay disrupted Siraj’s rhythm and effectively denied Bumrah a chance to bowl before lunch. Frustrated, Siraj returned to deliver the ball, and after Crawley calmly defended it, the pacer charged down the pitch and got in the batter’s face. Heated words were exchanged as Ben Duckett stepped in to cool things down, but the verbal back-and-forth continued as the players walked off. Behind the stumps, Rishabh Pant was seen expressing his displeasure, and KL Rahul also had a word with the English openers. India’s irritation was further visible as captain Shubman Gill made multiple unsuccessful requests to change the worn-out ball, which the umpires declined after standard checks.

Meanwhile, England dominated the morning session, reaching 117 without loss in just 30 overs. Zak Crawley (42*) and Ben Duckett (64*) weathered India’s new-ball attack under lights and then opened up their scoring against the second-string bowlers. Their unbroken century stand not only frustrated India but also etched its name into the record books. Despite helpful conditions, India’s bowlers remained wicketless and visibly dejected heading into the break, as England kept their chase alive at an impressive scoring rate of nearly four an over.

England Rewrite Records at Headingley

The 117-run partnership between Duckett and Crawley became the highest fourth-innings opening stand at Headingley, surpassing the 112-run effort by New Zealand’s Sutcliffe and Scott in 1949. It was also England’s best fourth-innings opening stand since Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss’ 123-run effort in 2008.

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The intensity is sky-high as #TeamIndia’s bowlers are leaving it all out on the field!

Could this be the moment that sparks a wicket spree from @mdsirajofficial https://t.co/0K41uhrKJ5 pic.twitter.com/BtNs0CXpTQ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 24, 2025

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Headingley has historically been a ground where dramatic chases unfold. Of the last six Tests played here, four have seen successful chases of over 250 — three by England themselves, including memorable wins over Australia in 2019 and 2023, and New Zealand in 2022. With 254 more runs to get from 66 overs and all 10 wickets in hand, England are firmly in control unless India finds a spark or the weather intervenes.