Leeds, June 23 (UNI) India ended a dramatic fourth day of the first Test at Headingley firmly in control, setting England a challenging target of 371 runs after their second innings folded at 364 on Monday.
In response, a cautious England reached 21 without loss at stumps, with openers Zak Crawley (12 batting) and Ben Duckett (9 batting), surviving six testing overs in fading light.
At the heart of India’s dominance were sublime centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118), who constructed a monumental 195-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Resuming at 153/3 after a slow-moving morning session, the pair switched gears post-lunch, dismantling the English attack with contrasting styles — Rahul steady and classical, Pant explosive and instinctive.
Rahul brought up his century off 202 balls with a flurry of crisp drives and resolute defence. It was an innings of immense control and concentration, one of his finest in overseas conditions.
Pant, meanwhile, added flair to India’s innings, completing his second hundred of the match in just 130 deliveries. He shifted momentum decisively in the second session, launching a blistering attack on both pace and spin. His innings, laced with 13 boundaries and 2 sixes, left England scrambling for answers.
The duo’s dominance seemed to have pushed India into an impregnable position, as they reached 298 for 4 at tea with a lead of 304. However, Pant’s dismissal shortly after the break — caught at deep midwicket trying to accelerate against Shoaib Bashir—opened the floodgates.
The introduction of the second new ball in the 81st over proved decisive. From 333 for 4, India suffered yet another lower-order collapse, losing six wickets for just 31 runs. Bashir, James Anderson, and Chris Woakes shared the spoils as India folded in 96 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja unbeaten on 25.
England’s reply began under testing conditions. The pitch, by now showing clear signs of wear, offered uneven bounce and occasional seam movement. Jasprit Bumrah got three overs in before stumps, but Crawley and Duckett looked assured, opting for caution.
Duckett’s leave of three successive balls became a minor talking point on an otherwise quiet end to a pulsating day. As stumps were called at 18:30 local time, there was a sense of anticipation hanging over the Test, with all results within the realm of possibility.
Earlier in the day, India had resumed on their overnight score of 90 for 2, and moved slowly through a disciplined morning session. England’s bowlers, particularly Brydon Carse and Woakes, kept things tight.
Shubman Gill, who resumed on 38, was the only wicket to fall before lunch, edging Carse behind after a probing spell. Rahul and Pant then stitched together a measured 50-run stand through the remainder of the session, adding only 63 runs in 27 overs, the slowest phase of the match.
India’s scoring rate changed drastically in the second session, with both Rahul and Pant reaching their centuries. England’s fielding, however, let them down. Rahul was dropped on 71 by Ben Duckett at gully —a moment that could prove costly. Pant, too, offered a top edge and a tight LBW appeal early in his innings but settled down and played with freedom as the partnership flourished.
Brief scores:
India 2nd Innings: 364 all out in 96.0 overs (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Shoaib Bashir 3/67, Chris Woakes 2/56)
England 2nd Innings: 21/0 in 6.0 overs (Zak Crawley 12 batting, Ben Duckett 9 batting)
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