Tags: India tour of England 2025,
England vs India, 1st Take a look at at Leeds, Jun 20-24, 2025,
India,
England
Printed on: Jun 23, 2025
Scorecard
| Commentary
| Graphs
With the race for early bragging rights heating up within the five-match Take a look at sequence, England ended Day 4 of the opening Take a look at on a cautious be aware, reaching 21/0 at stumps after India set them a difficult goal of 371 runs at Headingley.
Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who had a forgettable begin within the first innings, confirmed measured intent underneath fading mild. Crawley, unbeaten on 12, and Duckett, on 9, negotiated the ultimate overs of the day with out alarm, leaving the Take a look at delicately poised heading into the ultimate day.
Earlier within the day, India seemed set to bat England out of the competition after reaching a commanding 333/4 of their second innings. Nevertheless, a dramatic late collapse noticed the guests lose six wickets for simply 37 runs, ultimately being bowled out for 364. The sudden slide denied India an opportunity to stretch the goal additional past England’s attain.
The spotlight of India’s innings was an impressive 195-run stand between Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Each batters produced dazzling centuries, with Pant rewriting historical past by changing into the primary Asian wicketkeeper-batter to attain two centuries in a single Take a look at match. After his first-innings 134, Pant adopted it up with one other masterclass underneath strain, showcasing his rising stature as a match-winner in red-ball cricket.
KL Rahul, too, was composed and fashionable in his strategy, anchoring the innings via England’s transient spells of resistance. Their partnership laid the inspiration for a complete that put England on the again foot — till the tail did not wag once more, simply as within the first innings.
For England, the duty forward is monumental. Chasing 371 on a deteriorating Headingley pitch, towards a potent Indian assault, would require each resilience and utility. But when the hosts are to attract first blood on this sequence, a particular batting effort awaits on Day 5.
With all three outcomes nonetheless attainable, cricket followers can sit up for an exhilarating end to what has already been a gripping contest in Leeds.
