As the ENG vs IND Test reaches its final day, India’s KL Rahul remains confident of a positive result for his side.
England’s chase of 371 adds a thrilling edge to the ENG vs IND Test, as both teams push for victory on a pitch that’s getting trickier by the hour.
With Rahul’s classy hundred and Pant’s fireworks, India have the upper hand heading into Day 5 of the ENG vs IND Test at Headingley.
Rahul, who led from the front with a composed 137 in India’s second innings, welcomed the challenge, saying England’s attacking mindset gives India the perfect setup to push for a result.
“A blockbuster finish is on the cards. England say they’re going for the win, which means we’ll get our chance to go for all 10 wickets,” said Rahul after Day 4.
ENG vs IND Test: England’s Day 5 Chase Plan
England finished Day 4 at 21/0, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett looking assured. But Rahul remains hopeful that the pitch will deteriorate further, giving Indian bowlers the edge.
“It was tricky today, and could get more unpredictable tomorrow. We’ll back our bowlers to take advantage,” he added.
His confident words reflect India’s fighting spirit despite a lower-order collapse that saw five wickets fall for just 31 runs. India posted 364 in their second innings, thanks in large part to Rahul’s 195-run partnership with Rishabh Pant, who smashed a quickfire 118.
“Another 40 runs would’ve been ideal,” Rahul admitted. “We even considered giving England some overs late on Day 4, but 371 is still a strong total.”
Rishabh Pant’s Magic and India’s Missed Opportunity
Pant’s fearless strokeplay drew praise from Rahul, who joked that sometimes it’s best to just admire his genius from the other end.
“You just stand and watch. He plays some unbelievable shots that we can’t even imagine. Just let him be Pant.”
While Pant thrilled the crowd, Josh Tongue made sure India’s tail didn’t add much to the total. The England pacer ended with figures of 3/72 and said the mood in the dressing room was full of belief.
“We’re definitely going for the chase. A draw isn’t on our minds unless it comes to that. We’ll reassess after lunch,” said Tongue.
Useful Links:
The final day promises drama, with conditions expected to favor bowlers in the first session. India will rely heavily on pace and spin to unsettle England’s confident openers. With a full crowd and high tension, the ENG vs IND could deliver one of the most memorable finishes in recent Test history.
