Can England Chase 350 Runs for Victory on the Final Day?

Leeds, June 23 (NationPress) To clinch victory in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Headingley, England requires 350 runs on the final day, having reached 21/0 in six overs at stumps on day four. With all wickets intact and a forecast for rain, the match is poised for an electrifying conclusion, with all four outcomes still in play.

The England openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, began their chase cautiously, but Crawley soon ignited the innings with consecutive boundaries off Mohammed Siraj, sending the ball over mid-wicket and backward point.

As the day ended, Crawley stood unbeaten on 12 and Duckett on 9, reducing the target to 350 runs. With Ravindra Jadeja poised to exploit the turn and grip on offer, England must deliver their best performance on day five to achieve another remarkable win at this notable venue.

Earlier, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant shone for India, scoring 137 and 118 runs, respectively, as India was bowled out for 364 in their second innings. Rahul, calm and composed, achieved his ninth Test century, hitting 18 boundaries, while Pant dazzled with 15 boundaries and three sixes in his eighth Test century.

The spectacular 195-run partnership between Rahul and Pant mirrored their previous achievements at The Oval in 2018, with Pant also making history as the first wicketkeeper and fifth Indian batter to score two centuries in a single Test overseas.

Pant is now the second wicketkeeper-batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test, following Andy Flower in 2001. Interestingly, he opted for a celebration popularized by British footballer Dele Alli instead of his usual handspring.

However, after the dismissals of Pant and Rahul, India faced a swift batting collapse, losing their last six wickets for a mere 31 runs. Josh Tongue emerged as England's standout bowler, claiming 3-72 in 18 overs, with all three dismissals occurring in a single over.

The final session commenced with quick runs from Rahul and Karun Nair, but Brydon Carse struck first, obtaining extra bounce to dismiss Rahul. England quickly took control, with Tongue wrapping up India’s innings as Shardul Thakur edged behind, Mohammed Siraj fell for a golden duck, and Jasprit Bumrah saw his stumps shattered.

India’s innings concluded when Prasidh Krishna was caught in the deep off Shoaib Bashir, leaving England optimistic as they set the stage for an exciting finale.

Brief scores:

India 471 and 364 all out in 96 overs (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Josh Tongue 3-72, Brydon Carse 3-80) lead England 465 and 21/0 in six overs (Zak Crawley 12 not out, Ben Duckett 9 not out) by 350 runs