Leeds, UK – June 23: The first Test between India and England at Headingley is perfectly poised for a thrilling final-day showdown after England ended Day 4 at 21/0, chasing a mammoth target of 371 runs. Openers Zak Crawley (12*) and Ben Duckett (9*) ensured England walked out unscathed in the final six overs of the day, keeping the hosts in contention for a historic chase.
India, who resumed their second innings strongly on Day 4, posted 364 runs, thanks to brilliant centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118). Their efforts propelled India to a commanding position despite a late-order collapse triggered by England’s pacers.
India’s Middle Order Resilience and Lower Order Collapse
India began Day 4 on a strong note with Rahul and Pant at the crease. The duo built a vital 195-run stand, pushing India to 298/4 by Tea. Pant’s blistering 118 off 140 balls included 15 boundaries and 3 sixes, marking his second century of the match.
However, after Rahul’s dismissal on 137 by Brydon Carse, India’s lower order crumbled. From 349/6, they were bowled out for 364, losing their last four wickets for just 15 runs. Karun Nair fell cheaply, while Josh Tongue struck twice in two balls to dismiss Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj. Though Jasprit Bumrah denied Tongue a hat-trick, he was bowled on the very next delivery.
Ravindra Jadeja added some valuable runs with a six and a four in the 95th over before Prasidh Krishna fell attempting an aggressive shot against Shoaib Bashir, ending India’s innings.
England’s Turn to Respond
In the final session, Crawley and Duckett showed patience and maturity, choosing defense over aggression. Crawley hit two crisp boundaries off Mohammed Siraj, allowing England to finish Day 4 on a positive note with all wickets intact.
With 350 runs needed on Day 5 and 10 wickets in hand, England faces a daunting yet achievable task on a flat Headingley pitch.
Tale of Two Halves for India
India’s batting reflected a stark contrast: their top five amassed 721 runs across both innings, including five centuries, while the bottom six contributed just 65 runs, exposing a recurring vulnerability in the lower order.
Despite this imbalance, India’s solid top-order efforts have given them a real shot at taking the series lead—though England now holds the momentum going into a potentially historic fifth day.
Brief Scores:
India: 471 & 364 (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Brydon Carse 2/62)
England: 21/0 (Zak Crawley 12*, Ben Duckett 9*)
Target for England: 371 runs