Trisha Ghosal in Leeds
If I told you the English players were wasting time, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was a story about football or hockey. But no, this one’s straight from Headingley, and it’s all about the first Test between India and England.
India were bowled out for 365 in the final half-hour of Day 4, leaving England with roughly eight overs to survive before stumps. Not a complicated equation — Jasprit Bumrah was always going to be the main threat. Which meant, England’s openers had one job: play out four overs of the Bumrah fire.
But Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley weren’t just batting — they were scheming. Their task wasn’t just survival. It was delay. Duckett pulled off a masterclass in time-wasting: strolling away between deliveries, a generous serving of shadow batting, feigned leg trouble, and curious concern with the sightscreen. Crawley? He chipped in with his own act. And before India could squeeze in a fourth Bumrah over, Jadeja had to bowl the sixth, with time slipping away like a rogue delivery down leg.
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Only six overs were bowled. England scored 21. And Crawley, in a perfect final flourish, was halfway to the dressing room before the umpire had even removed the bails.
England need 350 on Day 5 for another historic Headingley heist. India? They’ll need to pierce through a thick fog of mind games before they even get to the batting order.
Will Bumrah and Co. steamroll through and put India 1–0 up, or will Stokes & Co. keep the Leeds chasing tradition alive?
Day 5 awaits. And it’s laced with spice.