ENG vs IND: What Is The Highest Successful Run Chase At Headingley, Leeds?

June 25,2025
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England opener Ben Duckett bats on Day 4 of the first Test against India at Headingley in Leeds on June 23, 2025. Photo: AP

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India set a 371-run target for England to win the Headingley Test at Leeds after posting 364 in the second innings, thanks to hundreds by KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118). For Pant, it was his second hundred in the match after scoring 134 in the first innings.
England will resume their chase in the fourth innings of the match at 21 for 0, with Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope (12) and Ben Duckett (9) unbeaten.
The match has so far seen a see-saw battle, with England nearly cancelling out India's first-innings lead by scoring 465 in response to the tourists' 471, with Pope scoring 106 and Harry Brook slamming 99. With England famous for their Bazball approach, it will be interesting to see how they tackle the chase.
However, with cracks appearing on the pitch, it will not be easy for England's batters, especially with Jasprit Bumrah steaming in with his venomous pace and deceptive swing.
Interestingly, the way this match has progressed is reminiscent of the England-India Edgbaston Test that took place three years ago in Birmingham. In the rescheduled fifth Test of the previous series, England chased down their record highest Test target of 378 on the final day, with unbeaten centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow stunning the Jasprit Bumrah-led Indian side.
However, only 119 of England’s eventual 378 for 3 came on the final day at Edgbaston, after the hosts had romped to a superb start on Day 4, finishing on 259 for 3 in only 57 overs.
At Headingley, things are a lot different, as England still have 350 runs to chase on Day 5. Interestingly, the highest successful run chase in England came at Headingley. It belongs to Australia, who hunted down a 404-run target against the home team in 1948. Since then, West Indies chased down 317 against England in 2017, while England beat Australia in 2001 by chasing down 311.