England Begin Chase Cautiously After India Set Stiff Target in First Test Thriller

Tags: India tour of England 2025,
England vs India, 1st Check at Leeds, Jun 20-24, 2025,
India,
England

Revealed on: Jun 23, 2025

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With the race for early bragging rights heating up within the five-match Check collection, England ended Day 4 of the opening Check on a cautious word, reaching 21/0 at stumps after India set them a difficult goal of 371 runs at Headingley.

Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who had a forgettable begin within the first innings, confirmed measured intent beneath fading gentle. Crawley, unbeaten on 12, and Duckett, on 9, negotiated the ultimate overs of the day with out alarm, leaving the Check delicately poised heading into the ultimate day.

Earlier within the day, India seemed set to bat England out of the competition after reaching a commanding 333/4 of their second innings. Nonetheless, a dramatic late collapse noticed the guests lose six wickets for simply 37 runs, ultimately being bowled out for 364. The sudden slide denied India an opportunity to stretch the goal additional past England’s attain.

The spotlight of India’s innings was a powerful 195-run stand between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Each batters produced dazzling centuries, with Pant rewriting historical past by turning into the primary Asian wicketkeeper-batter to attain two centuries in a single Check match. After his first-innings 134, Pant adopted it up with one other masterclass beneath stress, showcasing his rising stature as a match-winner in red-ball cricket.

KL Rahul, too, was composed and stylish in his method, anchoring the innings by England’s transient spells of resistance. Their partnership laid the muse for a complete that put England on the again foot — till the tail did not wag once more, simply as within the first innings.

For England, the duty forward is monumental. Chasing 371 on a deteriorating Headingley pitch, in opposition to a potent Indian assault, would require each resilience and software. But when the hosts are to attract first blood on this collection, a particular batting effort awaits on Day 5.

With all three outcomes nonetheless doable, cricket followers can sit up for an exhilarating end to what has already been a gripping contest in Leeds.