England pulled off one of their grittiest Test wins, chasing down a stiff target of 371 runs, their second-highest successful chase in Test cricket, on the final day to stun India on their own turf at Headingley. The visitors began the day needing 350 runs with more than a few doubts hanging in the air. By stumps, they were celebrating a statement victory.
Duckett was the difference. His 149 formed the backbone of the run-chase. From the moment he walked out, he looked busy. He found gaps, used the sweep and did not allow the bowlers to settle.
He kept the innings moving, picking his spots smartly. It was not a typical counterattack, but it wasn not all defence either. By the time Ben Duckett got out, England were well on top. Joe Root and Jamie Smith stitched a 71-run partnership for the sixth wicket as England started the series with a five-wicket victory to gain a 1-0 lead. Duckett was named Man of the Match
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Ben Duckett Credits India’s Fight Despite England’s Victory at Headingley
After the win, Duckett was full of praise for his teammates and the collective calmness that saw England over the line. He also applauded India.
"Just an incredible game. India were superb. To go into Day 5 and finish like we did was incredible," Duckett said as quoted after England’s win.
He said there was no panic in the England camp on the morning of the final day. They knew how to chase down the target.
"It was clear this morning - if we batted through, we’d get home," he added.
He acknowledged that the match had swung multiple times but England did well to get the result they wanted.
"We’ve shown maturity throughout the day and shown how much it means to win. At times, we were behind in this game."
Duckett made a point to credit the bowlers for their role on Day 4 and triggering a collapse that saw India getting all out at 364 from 333/4.
"Massive credit to our bowlers who got the tail out cheaply. Else you'd add 50-60 to the target, which would be a different game," he stated.
On Jasprit Bumrah, who had rocked England in the first innings with a fifer and had dismissed Duckett as well, the southpaw said:
"Bumrah’s world-class. He was superb in the first innings. To limit his impact was massive. We played him very well today."
He also reflected on playing Ravindra Jadeja.
"Tough to play him with a straight bat. It’s a shot I go to a lot. Sometimes to get to the other end, later in the innings for boundaries.”
England had started to lose wickets and at one stage, India were well in the contest, but Root and Smith’s 71-run stand took England home.
"At the start of the last partnership, it was a different game had they gotten a wicket, but Root being calm kept us calm. Smith taking us home at the end was amazing," Duckett concluded.
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Focus Shifts to the Next Test
The series now heads to Edgbaston for the next Test, starting July 2. India will be looking to hit back. After letting this one slip, especially with their batters scoring five centuries collectively, the hosts will be under pressure to respond.
There will be confidence in the English camp. But they will know this series can swing just as quickly as this Test did.
