Team India faced a humiliating loss in the opening match of the IND vs ENG 2025 Test series at Headingley, Leeds. Despite scoring five centuries in the match, the Indian side failed to defend a strong position and allowed England to chase down a challenging 371-run target. On the other hand, England, with only two centuries, managed to clinch the victory in dominant fashion. So, what exactly went wrong for India? Here are the five main reasons behind India’s shocking defeat.
Failed to Contribute
One of the most crucial reasons for India’s defeat in the IND vs ENG 2025 first Test was the poor contribution from the tailenders. In both innings, the lower-order batsmen collapsed quickly. In the first innings, India lost its last 6 wickets for just 41 runs, and in the second innings, the last 6 wickets fell for only 31 runs.
Had the tailenders added 40-50 more runs, the pressure on England during the chase would have been significant. In contrast, England’s lower-order batsmen managed to build crucial partnerships, which eventually helped them sail through.
Sai Sudharsan’s Disappointing Debut
Making his debut in red-ball cricket, Sai Sudharsan was expected to bring his IPL form into the IND vs ENG 2025 series. However, he failed to make an impact. In the first innings, he got out for a duck, and in the second innings, he managed only 30 runs.
Besides his batting failure, his performance in the field was also subpar. He dropped a crucial catch and forced a poor DRS call against Ben Stokes, which turned out to be a waste. That decision and the missed opportunity proved costly, as England’s middle-order capitalized and built momentum.
Karun Nair’s Comeback Was Underwhelming
Returning to Test cricket after nearly seven years, Karun Nair was included in the Playing XI for the IND vs ENG 2025 opener based on his domestic and England A tour performances. However, he failed to justify his selection.
Nair was dismissed for a duck in the first innings and managed just 20 runs in the second innings. His inability to hold the middle-order together led to collapses that kept India from putting up a match-winning total.
Poor Fielding Hurt India’s Chances
India’s fielding was perhaps the weakest link in the match. Across both innings, Indian fielders dropped close to a dozen chances six dropped catches and a missed no-ball opportunity in the first innings, followed by three more dropped catches in the second.
These fielding lapses allowed England’s batters to get reprieves at crucial moments. In a match where every run counted, those missed chances directly impacted the final result of the IND vs ENG 2025 Test.
Ineffective Bowling Attack
India’s bowling unit, which looked stronger on paper, failed to deliver under pressure. Except for Jasprit Bumrah’s first-innings spell, the rest of the bowlers struggled to make an impact. Mohammed Siraj picked only two wickets throughout the match, and Shardul Thakur was ineffective as both a bowler and batter.
Although Prasidh Krishna did pick up five wickets in the match, his economy rate of over 6.0 allowed England to score freely. Ravindra Jadeja, the lead spinner, took just one wicket across two innings. The lack of consistent bowling pressure allowed England’s batters to dominate and chase down a huge total on the final day of the IND vs ENG 2025 opener.
Conclusion: Lessons for India Before the 2nd Test
The IND vs ENG 2025 series has started on a disappointing note for India, and the team now trails 0-1 in the five match Test series. With the second Test to be played at Edgbaston after a week’s break, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill have some serious thinking to do.
Team selection, fielding drills, and bowling combinations will need immediate attention. India cannot afford another slip-up if they wish to stay alive in the IND vs ENG 2025 series. While the potential is there, the execution will be key. The second Test will be a crucial opportunity to bounce back and restore confidence in the dressing room and among fans worldwide.