Leeds, England – Following an enthralling Day 4 at Headingley, England are gearing up for a potentially historic chase against India in the first Test of their five-match series. India, after posting a formidable total of 471 in their first innings and then being bowled out for 364 in their second, have set England a target of 371 runs. At the close of play on Day 4, England were 21/0, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett seeing off a tricky six-over spell before stumps.
The day was punctuated by scintillating performances from India's middle order, with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant both notching up centuries. Rahul's composed 137 and Pant's aggressive 118 shifted the momentum in India's favour, enabling them to set what looked like a daunting target. Pant, in particular, etched his name in the record books, becoming only the second wicketkeeper in Test history to score centuries in both innings of a match, emulating Andy Flower's feat from 2001.
However, India's lower-order collapse, where they lost six wickets for just 37 runs, gave England a glimmer of hope. England's bowlers, led by Josh Tongue, capitalised on this slump, ensuring that the target remained within a chaseable range.
As the shadows lengthened over Headingley, the English openers displayed resilience, carefully navigating the initial overs against a high-quality Indian attack spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Despite the relatively low score at stumps, the fact that England did not lose a wicket was a significant boost to their confidence.
England now face a monumental task. Chasing 371 to win would represent a record chase on English soil. The current record is held by Australia, who scored 404 against England in 1948. The pitch is expected to offer some assistance to the spinners as the game progresses, adding another layer of complexity to the chase.
Speaking to reporters after the day's play, an upbeat Josh Tongue expressed confidence in his team's ability to overhaul the target. "We believe we can chase anything," Tongue stated, echoing the positive mindset instilled in the team. "We have a clear plan, and everyone is committed to playing their part. We know it will be tough, but we are up for the challenge."
The task ahead is indeed formidable, and the match hangs tantalizingly in the balance.
