Leeds, June 23, 2025: India National Cricket Team has taken firm control of the opening Test of the five-match series against England National Cricket Team, being held at the iconic Headingley Ground in Leeds. After setting a massive target of 371 runs, the visitors are now just 10 wickets away from a memorable win, with England facing a steep uphill climb on the final day.
The fourth day turned into a batting spectacle for India, thanks to the brilliant centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, who stitched together a game-changing 195-run partnership in the second innings. India’s clinical performance across both innings has left England with a daunting task, needing 370 more runs to win.
Second Innings Brilliance: Pant and Rahul Lead the Charge
After securing a slender six-run lead in the first innings, India came out determined to build a commanding total. While the top order was relatively steady, it was KL Rahul’s rock-solid 137 (247 balls) and Rishabh Pant’s explosive 118 (140 balls) that pushed India into a winning position. The duo put the English bowlers under relentless pressure with a mix of patience and aggression.
Pant’s innings, peppered with audacious strokeplay, included boundaries all around the park. Rahul, on the other hand, played the anchor role, frustrating the English attack with his textbook batting. Their partnership became the turning point of the innings and possibly the match.
Later contributions from Karun Nair (20) and Ravindra Jadeja (25)* helped India post 364 all out, putting a towering 371-run target on the board.
For England, Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse picked up three wickets each, while Shoaib Bashir bagged two. Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes chipped in with one wicket apiece.
India’s First Innings: Foundation Built on Three Centuries
Opting to bat after losing the toss, India’s first innings was marked by dominance from the top order. Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Shubman Gill (147), and Rishabh Pant (134) all struck commanding centuries. Gill, captaining the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, played a mature and composed innings, anchoring India to a mammoth total of 471 runs.
Pant’s 134 was a fearless counterattack that featured 12 fours and 6 sixes, continuing his stellar form. KL Rahul also chipped in with 42. However, Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair fell for ducks.
In the bowling department, England’s best came from Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes, both grabbing 4 wickets each. Shoaib Bashir and Brydon Carse picked up a wicket each, while Woakes remained wicketless.
England’s First Innings: Pope, Brook Keep Hosts in the Game
In response, England posted a fighting 465 runs, led by a gritty century from Ollie Pope (106) and a heart-breaking 99 from Harry Brook, who fell just one run short of a well-deserved hundred. After a poor start that saw Zak Crawley dismissed for 4, Ben Duckett (62) and Pope stabilized the innings.
Other notable contributions came from Jamie Smith (40) and Chris Woakes (38). But it was Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul (5/84) that restricted England from surpassing India’s first-innings total. Prasidh Krishna also impressed with 3 wickets, while Mohammed Siraj took 2. Jadeja and Shardul Thakur went wicketless.
Match Situation Heading into Final Day
With a 371-run target in sight, England must pull off one of the greatest chases in Test history to claim victory. On the flip side, India needs just 10 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The pitch is starting to show signs of wear, and India’s bowlers will be looking to exploit any rough patches on Day 5.
Given India’s confidence, solid all-round performance, and the momentum from Pant and Rahul’s knocks, the odds are firmly in their favor.
Key Stats at End of Day 4
- India 1st Innings: 471 all out
- Shubman Gill: 147
- Rishabh Pant: 134
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 101
- England 1st Innings: 465 all out
- Ollie Pope: 106
- Harry Brook: 99
- India 2nd Innings: 364 all out
- KL Rahul: 137
- Rishabh Pant: 118
- Target for England: 371 runs
- Wickets Remaining (End of Day 4): 10
