When things don’t click, they just don’t — and India were left ruing that hard truth on Day 5 of the first Test at Headingley. In search of an early breakthrough, they bowled with discipline and heart, especially Mohammed Siraj, who bent his back tirelessly under gloomy skies. Yet, as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett marched on undisturbed, it looked like India were running out of ideas — and time.
Then came a glimmer of hope. In the 39th over, Siraj unleashed a well-directed bouncer that rushed Duckett into an awkward pull. The left-hander top-edged it towards deep square leg — right where Yashasvi Jaiswal was stationed.
For a brief moment, the Indian fielders held their breath. But hope gave way to heartbreak, again. Jaiswal, who had already dropped three catches in the first innings, grassed a fourth. The ball popped out despite a desperate dive, and Duckett, then on 98, survived.
As the English opener soaked in his luck, he soon capitalised. Moments later, Duckett reverse-swept Ravindra Jadeja for a boundary — a stroke straight out of the Bazball playbook — bringing up his sixth Test hundred and second against India. Leaping in the air with his fist clenched, Duckett celebrated a century of defiance and flair. He knew the mission wasn’t over, but this was a statement knock — one to be remembered.
It’s been 15 years since an England opener last scored a fourth-innings hundred at Headingley, and Duckett’s effort has now entered that rare club. As England surged past 180 without loss in their chase of 371, the missed opportunity loomed large over India.
For Siraj, it was a gut-wrenching moment. He stood with arms aloft in disbelief, while Jaiswal’s face betrayed the sinking feeling of regret. Quietly, the young opener returned to his position, shoulders slumped and burdened by guilt, even as a pat on the back from Prasidh Krishna tried to console him.
