The stage is set for a captivating final day in the first Test between India and England at Headingley. India, after posting 364 in their second innings on Day 4, have given England a challenging target of 371. The hosts ended the day at 21 for no loss, leaving them needing another 350 runs for victory. While the conditions and history favor India, England's fearless 'Bazball' approach means nothing can be taken for granted.
Much of India's hopes rest on the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah. He was the standout performer in England's first innings, claiming 5 wickets for 83 runs. This was his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, and remarkably, 12 of those have come away from home, equalling Kapil Dev's record for an Indian bowler. In that innings, Bumrah also surpassed Wasim Akram to become the Asian bowler with the most Test wickets in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
However, cricket is a team game, and India needs its other bowlers to step up and support Bumrah. In the first innings, Prasidh Krishna took three wickets, and Mohammed Siraj grabbed two, but consistency across the board is essential to apply sustained pressure on the English batting lineup. As Shubman Gill takes on the captaincy role, even the most seasoned cricket pundits are suggesting he will need more than just Bumrah to secure a win.
England will look to target the other Indian bowlers and put pressure back on Gill, especially if they manage to see off Bumrah's spells. The pitch is expected to deteriorate, with cracks and rough patches that could aid both the seamers and spinners. Ravindra Jadeja's role will be crucial on Day 5, extracting turn and troubling the English batsmen.
KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118) were the stars with the bat for India in the second innings. Their 195-run partnership formed the backbone of India's total after a shaky start. Pant, in particular, lit up Headingley with his aggressive strokeplay, notching up his second century of the match. In doing so, he became only the second wicketkeeper in Test history, after Zimbabwe's Andy Flower, to score hundreds in both innings of a Test match in England. However, India's lower order collapsed, losing six wickets for 31 runs, a concern they would want to address.
England's confidence will be high given their 'Bazball' approach to Test cricket, which encourages aggressive, risk-taking cricket. They have a deep batting lineup and will believe they can chase down the target. However, they will be mindful of the deteriorating pitch and the quality of the Indian bowling attack.
Adding another layer of complexity is the weather forecast for Day 5. There is a chance of morning showers in Leeds, which could potentially delay the start of play. While the weather is expected to improve as the day progresses, any significant time lost to rain could favor England, reducing the time India has to bowl them out.
Former England pacer Stuart Broad has said that India are in a position of strength but will need to bowl well on a Day 5 pitch. The match is intriguingly poised. Will Bumrah lead the Indian attack to victory, or will England's 'Bazball' prevail? The final day at Headingley promises a thrilling finish.
