England Chases 371 to Beat India at Headingley

England defeated India in the first Test at Headingley by successfully chasing a target of 371, marking their second-highest run chase in Test history, with a standout 149 from Ben Duckett. Captain Ben Stokes faced initial criticism for choosing to field after winning the toss, especially as India surged to 430-3, but England rallied to dismiss them for 471. Stokes defended his decision, citing the importance of five-day cricket and resilience, and noted England has now fielded first in nine of ten home Tests when winning the toss, winning seven of those. The unique characteristics of the Headingley pitch, which often favors teams batting second, further justified Stokes's strategy. The victory highlighted the growing maturity and composure of the England team under pressure. The win sets a strong foundation for the remainder of the series.