Steve Harmison Critiques India's Strategy Against Ben Duckett in 1st Test

Steve Harmison's Insights

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison expressed that India seemed to lack confidence in their ability to dismiss Ben Duckett during the fifth day of the Test match in Leeds on June 24. Duckett entered the final day with a positive mindset and dominated the Indian bowlers with his exceptional performance. Harmison praised Duckett's approach, noting that the English opener was determined to secure a match-winning innings.

Analysis of India's Bowling Strategy

Harmison commented, "He (Duckett) was confident he would score runs. His intent was very positive, as it usually is. I doubt India believed they could get him out. Their plans seemed ineffective, and they didn't bowl the right lengths or lines against him. Duckett took full advantage of this situation."

He further added, "India lacked a response. They had no strategy to prevent him from scoring and appeared directionless regarding their execution. Even in the field, they failed to stop singles. While India's bowlers delivered good deliveries, England managed to secure singles effortlessly."

Highlights from Day 5 of the 1st Test

In the first Test of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds, England triumphed over India. The match, which extended to the final session of the last day, saw England achieve the second-largest Test chase on home soil, successfully chasing down 371 runs while losing only five wickets. Ben Duckett was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 149 runs on the final day. Notably, India became the first team in the 148-year history of Test cricket to have five centurions in a single match yet still lose. Rishabh Pant scored centuries in both innings, while captain Shubman Gill and openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul also contributed with tons, but to no avail. As a result, Gill faced defeat in his inaugural Test as captain.