India vs England 1st Test – The stage is set for an epic clash as the new-look Indian team gears up for its first big test in the new cycle of the World Test Championship. The first Test match of the Sachin-Anderson Trophy, formerly known as The Pataudi Trophy, will begin on Friday, June 20th, at Headingley, Leeds. Both teams will be giving a closer look at the Headingley pitch report, as the first match always sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Pitch conditions this county season in matches played at Headingley have been moderate, with a team total crossing the 400-run mark only once in twelve innings.
Scores of 300 runs have been breached twice, while three scores under 200 and five scores between 200-300 runs have been recorded. Teams batting first have won two out of the last three matches played in the county season, indicating that a first-innings lead is very vital to capitalize on at this venue.
India vs England Headingley, Leeds Pitch Report
The last international Test match played at Headingley, Leeds, was back in 2023 during the Ashes series, a match England managed to win by three wickets.
Taking a look at the last three Test matches played at Headingley, Leeds, the scoring pattern in the first innings shows a score of over 250 and under 350 has been recorded twice. Notably, the last time India batted first at this venue, they were bowled out for just 78 runs.
In the second innings, a score of over 200 runs has been achieved in all of the last six innings played. Day 2 and Day 3 are generally considered the best time to bat at Headingley, as the grass on the surface tends to ease out a bit, becoming more batter-friendly.
In each of the last six Test innings played at this venue, the third innings has seen scores over 200 runs, with the highest being 278 runs by India in the 3rd Test in 2021, a match they lost by an innings and 76 runs.
When it comes to the final two days of Test matches at Leeds, it is not an impossible venue to chase down targets. In fact, in the last two Test matches, teams have successfully chased down targets of 254 and 296 runs, both achieved by the home team, England, against Australia and New Zealand respectively.
Will Toss Play a Crucial Factor?
Yes, the toss does play a crucial factor in Test matches at Headingley, Leeds. If you look at the results of the last five Test matches, the team bowling first has won three of them. Unlike some other venues where the team batting first gains the upper hand, it’s the complete opposite here, as the surface generally improves for batting as the Test match progresses, and anything under 300 is often chaseable in the fourth innings.
Given England’s bowling lineup, which includes some inexperienced players, they might opt for the aggressive strategy of bowling first and then chasing down the target in the fourth innings. In my view, India should also consider implementing the same strategy if they want a better chance of winning the 1st Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
India vs England 1st Test Headingley Pitch Report Final Thoughts – India has the better bowling lineup for this conditions. Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna (If selected) will be key. The surface does offer additional bounce and Krishna can swing the ball and unsettle the batters with the extra bounce he gets. Expect the surface to hold tighter for the entirety of the four days and day five could be a little tricky as the bounce might be bit uneven.
Join us on Telegram
