In form of First test of five -match five -match series between England and India Hadingley enters its decisive phase, all eyes are on important third innings, total India needs to be posted to keep the hosts under significant pressure. India’s strategy will need to mix historical performance with current circumstances, showing the growing signs of pitch and the match finely balanced.
Historical third innings benchmark in Headingley
Hadingley has seen some notable third paan scores in recent years, which may be necessary, presented a glimpse of this. In the last decade, the highest third innings of this site included:
- England: 490/8 vs West Indies (2017)
- Sri Lanka: 457 vs England (2014)
- New Zealand: 454/8D vs England (2015)
- England: 349 vs Australia (2010)
- England: 326 vs New Zealand (2022)
These figures highlight that while the 400-plus scores are obtained, they remain rare and usually seek extraordinary batting performance with favorable conditions.
After two high scoring first innings, India responded to 471 and England with 465, with visitors with a thin six runs. Close to playing at day 3, India increased to 90 for 2, increasing its lead to 96 runs, KL Rahul Providing a stable anchor.
At the beginning of 4 days, India further reached 119 for 3, reached 125, but the loss of the captain Shubman Gill The competition is finely prepared.
Bridan Cars Strike in the first over of the day
– Captain Shubman Gill leaves for 8#Crickettwitter #ENGVSIND #Shubmangill #Teamindia pic.twitter.com/gdwg9uvb7m
– CRICKETIMES.COM (@crickettimeshq) June 23, 2025
How much is sufficient for India? Stuart Broad weighs
Former England Fast Bowler Stuart broadTalking to Sky Sports, offered its insight to what India’s goal should be. He suggested that India should target the total in the area of 350 runs. Broad said that headingley traditionally becomes easy to bat in the fourth innings, the current conditions – including heat, sunlight and rising spin – can make more challenging than normal.
“If I were in a camp in India, now I would have been saying ‘I would get another 250’, so 350 runs on the board,” Broad said, emphasizing that the pitch is already showing symptoms of turning and unequal bounce.
This assessment is echoing from the position of the developed match: the pitch deteriorated, with developing footmark and developing Jasprit Bumrah In the top form, even a target within the 300–350 range can prove to be malicious for England’s aggressive batting lineup.
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Strategic idea for India
India’s strategy will be shaped by many major factors:
Pitch status: The headingley surface is expected to deteriorate further, with variable bounce and the last day faster bends challenging batsmen.
Season: The forecast status for the morning may provide assistance to the forecast seamors, which can make batting even more difficult for England.
Bowling shelling: India’s hopes will rely a lot on Bumrah’s ability to take advantage of the deteriorating conditions, especially other bowlers have fought to maintain continuity.
The next few hours of game will be important in determining the syllabus of this thrilling test match, as India pushes to set a winning target.
Also read: ENG vs Ind – Sachin Tendulkar highlighted India’s fielding laps congratulating Jasprit Bumrah