June 24, 2025 - On the strength of centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, India has taken control of the first Test match against England at Headingley. Team India has set a target of 371 runs for England. In reply, the host team scored 21 runs without losing any wicket by the end of the fourth day on Monday. England is still 350 runs behind the target.

India scored 364 runs in their second innings. They had a lead of six runs from the first innings, based on which they gave England a total target of 371 runs. Rahul scored 137 runs and Pant made 118, helping India reach this position. The pair added 195 runs for the fourth wicket, which troubled the English bowlers. However, once this partnership ended, India started to lose wickets quickly. At one stage, the visitors looked set to score over 400, but they collapsed before reaching that mark.

Pant and Rahul Take Charge

India started the day at 90 runs for the loss of two wickets. Captain Shubman Gill came out to bat with six runs, while Rahul was unbeaten on 47. Big innings were expected from both batters, but only Rahul lived up to the expectations. Gill failed once again and was dismissed by Brydon Carse after scoring just eight runs. India’s total at that point was 92. Pant came in next and gave good support to Rahul. After the captain’s dismissal, there was a need for both batters to stay at the crease and play a long innings.

Rahul is known for doing exactly that. Pant also changed his approach according to the situation. In the first session, he played very carefully and didn’t take any risks. He controlled his natural attacking instincts and left many tempting balls. After reaching his half-century, Pant became slightly aggressive and played a few big shots. As he neared his century, he slowed down again and played safely. He eventually completed his century and became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match in England. After reaching the milestone, Pant played freely but was soon dismissed. Shoaib Bashir got him out, caught by Zak Crawley.

Rahul Impresses

Pant’s confident batting gave Rahul the space to play his natural game. In the first innings, Rahul had missed his half-century, but this time, he made sure to convert it into a big score. He reached his 50 with ease and later brought up his third Test century in England. His innings ended when India’s score was 333. He tried to cut a short-pitched ball from Carse, but it took the inside edge and hit the stumps.

Team India Falls Apart

After Rahul’s dismissal, India’s batting collapsed quickly. Karun Nair failed once again and was caught and bowled by Chris Woakes after scoring 20 runs. In the 91st over, Josh Tongue took three wickets and put India on the backfoot. He first dismissed Shardul Thakur for just four runs. On the very next ball, he got rid of Mohammad Siraj. He was on a hat-trick, but Jasprit Bumrah survived that ball. However, Bumrah was dismissed on the next delivery without scoring. Ravindra Jadeja added 15 runs with Prasidh Krishna, all of which were scored by Jadeja. Krishna was out trying to play a big shot off Bashir’s bowling.

For England, Carse and Tongue took three wickets each. Bashir picked up two, while Woakes and Ben Stokes took one wicket each.

England Shows Intent

England came out to bat for the last half hour of the day and showed aggressive intent. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley attacked the Indian bowlers. Duckett even played a sweep shot against Jadeja despite the rough patches on the pitch, which showed his courage. Crawley scored 12 runs before getting out, while Duckett remained unbeaten on nine.