• Day 4 of Headingley Test began with India firmly in the driver’s seat, thanks to an exquisite partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

  • However a sudden collapse triggered by Josh Tongue, saw India lose their final seven wickets for just 77 runs.

Netizens react as KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant’s tons power India to safety before England hit back with the ball | Headingley Test, Day 4
England vs India (Image Source: X)

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Day 4 of Headingley Test with India firmly in the driver’s seat, building on their overnight lead thanks to an exquisite partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. The pair batted with poise and purpose, grinding England’s bowlers under sunny skies. Rahul’s composed century anchored the innings while Pant counterattacked with flair, punishing anything short or wide.

Their 195-run stand for the fourth wicket looked set to bat England out of the game. But a sudden collapse, triggered by disciplined bowling from Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue, saw India lose their final seven wickets for just 77 runs. From a position of total control, India stumbled to 364 all out, setting England a target of 371. The hosts then saw out the day with caution, ending at 21/0.

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant script a masterclass before collapse

Rahul and Pant displayed their contrasting brilliance with the bat at the Headingley. Rahul, calm and classical, was relentless with his offside play and strong on the back foot. He brought up his century with a confident square cut and celebrated with quiet intensity. At the other end, Pant mixed control with adventure, lofting Shoaib Bashir for two sixes and slicing through England’s field with ease. His 118 came off just 140 balls and was filled with audacious strokeplay, especially his fearless sweeps and reverse hits. Together, the duo neutralized England’s attack for more than two sessions and turned the Test in India’s favour. Their 195-run stand was one of India’s finest overseas partnerships in recent years, elevating the lead beyond 280. England were running out of ideas, but the game would pivot sharply just minutes later.

England trigger chaos as Indian tail folds fast

England’s bowlers struck back with fury and precision after Pant’s dismissal opened the floodgates. Brydon Carse, previously wicketless, struck twice in quick succession, removing both Pant and Rahul with sharp deliveries that stayed low. The Indian middle and lower order offered little resistance. Karun Nair misread a Chris Woakes slower ball and offered a tame return catch. Shardul Thakur, Bumrah, and Siraj fell in a span of seven balls, unable to cope with Tongue’s aggressive short-pitched bowling. From 333/4, India crumbled to 364 all out – a collapse that saw them lose six wickets for 31 runs. England’s bowlers stuck to their plans with discipline, exploiting both bounce and reverse swing under a subtly shifting sky. The hosts walked off buoyed by momentum. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett then played out 6 tricky overs without incident, leaving England at 21/0 in pursuit of 371.

Also READ: Fans erupt in joy as Rishabh Pant scripts history in Headingley with destructive hundred on Day 4 of ENG vs IND first Test

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Also READ: Fans go gaga as KL Rahul smashes a sensational century on Day 4 of the ENG vs IND Headingley Test

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