1st Test: England need 350 runs on final day after centuries from Rahul and Pant

Leeds: England will need 350 runs on the final day of the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, after reaching 21/0 in six overs at stumps on Day Four. With all 10 wickets intact and a rain threat looming, the match is set up for a thrilling finish, with all three results still possible.

India set England a challenging target after KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant powered the second innings with commanding centuries. Rahul scored a composed 137 (his 9th Test ton) laced with 18 boundaries, while Pant smashed a blistering 118, his 8th century in Test cricket, featuring 15 fours and three sixes.

The two put together a brilliant 195-run stand, previously having shared centuries at The Oval in 2018. Pant, in particular, entered the record books by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper and only the second globally after Andy Flower to score centuries in both innings of a Test in overseas conditions.

Interestingly, instead of his signature handspring celebration, Pant opted for a more subdued gesture popularized by footballer Dele Alli.

However, after the duo fell, India suffered a familiar collapse, losing their last six wickets for just 31 runs. England pacer Josh Tongue once again played a crucial role, taking 3 wickets in a single over to finish with 3/72. Brydon Carse also impressed with 3/80.

Earlier in the day, under overcast skies, Carse made an early breakthrough by dismissing Shubman Gill (8), who had top-scored with 147 in the first innings. Pant had a nervy start, surviving an LBW appeal due to an inside edge, and a mis-hit sweep that narrowly avoided fielders. Rahul, though cautious, brought up his half-century while weathering a tricky spell.

A dropped catch by Harry Brook at gully gave Rahul a reprieve on 58. From there, he and Pant batted steadily till lunch. Post-tea, Pant accelerated with three boundaries off Tongue, while Rahul continued to pick runs off Shoaib Bashir. Pant reached his half-century with a brace, then smashed Bashir for two sixes to keep the momentum going.

Rahul brought up his century off 202 balls with a stylish cover drive, soaking in the applause with his bat raised. Pant followed suit, reaching his century in 122 balls with a single through point, followed by a heartfelt hug with Rahul and a silent prayer of gratitude.

Despite crowd calls—led by Sunil Gavaskar—for his trademark celebration, Pant promised it for "next time." He then smashed Joe Root for a four, six, and another four before falling to Bashir, mistiming a slog-sweep to long-on.

Rahul and Karun Nair added crucial runs before tea, pushing the lead beyond 300. But the final session saw a sharp turnaround—Rahul chopped on to his stumps, Nair offered a return catch to Woakes, and Tongue ran through the tail, removing Thakur, Siraj (for a golden duck), and Bumrah in quick succession. Prasidh Krishna was last to fall, caught in the deep off Bashir, ending India’s innings at 364 in 96 overs.

England’s openers Zak Crawley (12*) and Ben Duckett (9*) safely navigated the final six overs, with Crawley striking two boundaries off Siraj.

Going into Day Five, England will need to bat out of their skins to chase down 350 on a surface offering turn and bounce, especially with Ravindra Jadeja likely to play a key role.

Brief Scores:

• India: 471 & 364 in 96 overs (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Josh Tongue 3-72, Brydon Carse 3-80)

• England: 465 & 21/0 in 6 overs (Zak Crawley 12*, Ben Duckett 9*)

• India lead by 350 runs

With inputs from IANS