India vs. England 1st Test, Day 4: Pant and Rahul’s Twin Centuries Set England a Daunting 371-Run Chase
Leeds/Patiala, 24 June (Sports Desk)
The fourth day of the first Test match between India and England at Headingley, Leeds, part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship, witnessed a captivating display of batting prowess from India’s KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Their centuries powered India to a commanding position, setting England a challenging target of 371 runs. Despite a late collapse, India’s lead, coupled with England’s cautious 21/0 at stumps, left the match poised for an exciting final day. Below is a comprehensive account of Day 4’s events, drawing from multiple sources.
Morning Session: Early Blow and Rahul-Pant Dominance
- India’s Overnight Position: India resumed at 90/2, leading by 96 runs, with KL Rahul (47*) and Shubman Gill (6*) at the crease. The cooler, cloudier conditions (around 20°C, compared to 30°C earlier) favored India’s seamers but posed a challenge for the batsmen against England’s pace attack.
- Early Setback: India suffered an immediate blow as captain Shubman Gill, fresh off his first-innings 147, dragged a back-of-a-length delivery from Brydon Carse onto his stumps for 9 in the second over. This left India at 92/3, with England sensing an opportunity.
- Rahul and Pant’s Partnership: KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant forged a monumental 195-run fourth-wicket partnership, steering India into a commanding position. Rahul, batting with monk-like composure, scored a classy 137 off 247 balls (exact boundaries not specified), displaying technical precision and punishing loose deliveries. Pant, living up to his reputation for flair, smashed 118 off 140 balls (15 fours, 3 sixes), becoming the first Indian and second wicketkeeper-batter ever (after Andy Flower in 2001) to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. His nine sixes in the match equaled the record for most sixes by a batter in a Test in England.
- Key Moments: Pant’s innings was a blend of audacious shots and calculated aggression. He scooped, charged, and lofted deliveries, surviving a close lbw appeal off Ben Stokes (overturned due to an inside edge). Rahul complemented Pant’s chaos with calm, reaching his ninth Test hundred (fourth against England) with a double. Their partnership took India past 250, with the lead swelling to 304 by tea.
Afternoon Session: India’s Run Surge
- Post-Lunch Momentum: The second session saw India add 145 runs in 27 overs at a run rate of over 5, driven by Rahul and Pant’s dominance. Pant targeted spinner Shoaib Bashir, smashing boundaries and sixes, while Rahul dispatched a short ball from Carse for four. India’s lead crossed 200, and at tea, they were 298/4, with Rahul (120*) and Pant (118*) unbeaten.
- England’s Bowling Struggles: England’s bowlers, including Chris Woakes and Bashir, struggled to contain the duo. Stokes, cautious after hamstring injuries in 2024, bowled sparingly, while part-time spinner Joe Root was introduced but couldn’t break through. Ben Stokes’ frustration was evident as he engaged in verbal exchanges with Pant, trying to provoke extravagant shots.
- Milestones: Pant’s century marked him as the first Asian wicketkeeper to score twin hundreds in a Test, a feat celebrated by the BCCI and ICC on social media. India also became the first team to have five individual centuries in a Test match, with Gill (147), Pant (134, 118), Jaiswal (101), and Rahul (137) contributing.
Evening Session: India’s Collapse and England’s Response
- India’s Late Collapse: After tea, India’s innings unraveled dramatically. From 333/4, they lost six wickets for 37 runs, bowled out for 364. Josh Tongue triggered the collapse, claiming three wickets in one over (Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah, all for ducks) in the 91st over. Rahul fell for 137, dragging a delivery from Tongue onto his stumps. Ravinra Jadeja (score not specified) and Karun Nair (score not specified) also perished, with England’s bowlers exploiting the new ball. Ben Stokes and Tongue were pivotal, with Stokes’ tactical acumen and Tongue’s pace proving decisive.
- England’s Chase Begins: England faced a daunting 371-run target, the second-highest successful chase at Headingley (Australia’s 404 in 1948 being the record). Openers Zak Crawley (12* off 25) and Ben Duckett (9* off 11) navigated the final overs cautiously, reaching 21/0 at stumps. Ravindra Jadeja bowled tightly, but India couldn’t claim a breakthrough, with Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the attack on Day 5.
- Weather Concerns: Light rain loomed as a factor, with forecasts predicting showers on the final day, potentially affecting India’s chances of bowling England out or England’s pursuit of the target.
watch…..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07INijSdrh8 Key Performances
- India:
- KL Rahul: 137 (247 balls), a match-defining knock with technical brilliance, anchoring India’s second innings.
- Rishabh Pant: 118 (140 balls, 15 fours, 3 sixes), a historic performance with twin centuries, blending aggression and resilience.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Expected to be crucial on Day 5, following his first-innings five-for (5/83).
- England:
- Josh Tongue: Sparked India’s collapse with a devastating over, finishing with key wickets.
- Ben Stokes: Took crucial wickets, including Sai Sudharsan on Day 3, and led tactically despite limited bowling.
- Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett: Unbeaten at 21/0, providing a solid start to England’s chase.
Talking Points
- Pant’s Historic Feat: Rishabh Pant’s twin centuries made him only the second wicketkeeper in Test history to achieve this, earning widespread praise. His nine sixes matched the record set by Andrew Flintoff and Ben Stokes.
- India’s Fielding Concerns: Dropped catches of Harry Brook (46 and 80) and Ollie Pope (62) in England’s first innings cost India dearly, allowing England to close the gap.
- Selection Debate: India’s choice of Shardul Thakur over Kuldeep Yadav continued to draw criticism, as spin could have been effective against England’s lower order and might prove vital on Day 5.
- Match Context: The game, part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, saw both teams honor former England bowler David Lawrence and victims of an Ahmedabad air tragedy with black armbands and a minute’s silence.
- Day 5 Outlook: With England needing 350 runs and India requiring 10 wickets in 90 overs, all four results (win, loss, draw, or tie) remain possible, especially with rain forecast. Jasprit Bumrah’s role will be pivotal, supported by Jadeja’s spin on a pitch offering turn.
Summary
Day 4 was defined by KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant’s scintillating centuries, which propelled India to a 370-run lead, setting England a formidable 371-run target. However, India’s late collapse of six wickets for 37 runs gave England hope, and their openers’ cautious start kept them in the hunt. With rain looming and Bumrah leading India’s bowling, the final day promises a thrilling conclusion to this Headingley classic.
