Ben Stokes and Joe Root set a massive world record
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ben Stokes created history in Leeds
- Joe Root set a huge world record
- England beat India by five iwckets
Ben Stokes etched his name in the history books after leading Englnad to victory in the first Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India at the Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds by a five-wicket margin. The hosts put up a chase for the ages as they chased a massive total of 371.
Englnad made 350 runs on the final day in overcast conditions with rain stopping the game twice. Ben Duckett scored a century (149) while Joe Root made an unbeaten 56 to take the hosts over the line. Stokes made 33 runs. Earlier, he took five wickets in the match, including four in the first innings. With the bat, he only made 20 runs in England's first outing.
Ben Stokes Creates History
Overall, there have been 14 instances of a team chasing a total of above 350 in Test cricket history but England are the only team to do it twice under the same captain. The Three Lions also achieved the feat against India in the 2022 Edgbaston Test under Stokes' leadership. Joe Root is the only other captain under whom England have chased a total above 350. Ironically, it was Stokes' miraculous century that led to the first instance during the famous victory over Australia at Leeds in the 2019 Ashes by one wicket.
Meanwhile, Stokes has equalled the world record for the most wins as captain for run-chases above the 300-run mark. Brian Lara, Misbah-Ul Haq, RB Simson, and Steve Waugh also have two wins as captain when their team chased a total above 300.
Stokes also holds the record for most wins as captain above the 250 mark, with six such instances. India's MS Dhoni (4) is second on the elite list followed by West Indies' Brian Lara and Austalia's Ricky Ponting with three each.
Ben Stokes, Joe Root Set Huge World Record
Meanwhile, Stokes and Root have become the first players in history to feature in the playing XI of a team, who chased down a 350+ total thrice. Among the nine players to achieve this feat multiple times, eight are English.
Players to Feature in Multiple 350+ Chases
| Player |
Instances Part of 350+ Chases |
| Joe Root |
3 |
| Ben Stokes |
3 |
| Jonny Bairstow |
2 |
| Stuart Broad |
2 |
| Zak Crawley |
2 |
| Jack Leach |
2 |
| Ollie Pope |
2 |
| Upul Tharanga |
2 |
| Chris Woakes |
2 |
Overall, England and Australia now share the world record for the most 350+ chases in Test cricket as both have done the remarkable feat thrice. Meanwhile, India, the West Indies and Sri Lanka have two such winning chases, while Pakistan and South Africa have done it once.
