KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 72 to take India’s lead to 159 on Day 4 of the 1st Test against England at Headingley. Alongside Rishabh Pant, who is 31* at lunch, Rahul helped India recover after an early loss, setting the stage for a strong finish in this tense encounter.
A resolute and unbeaten 72 by KL Rahul stood as the cornerstone of India’s resistance on the fourth morning of the first Test against England at Headingley, as the visitors stretched their second-innings lead to 159 runs by reaching 153/3 in 48 overs at lunch on Day 4 of the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test.
India began the day at 90/2, holding a slim lead of 98 runs on a pitch that had started to show signs of uneven bounce under overcast skies. England made an immediate breakthrough when Brydon Carse struck in the opening over, dismissing Indian captain Shubman Gill, who had scored a magnificent 147 in the first innings. Gill chopped on while attempting to play a delivery that tailed in late, falling for just 8.
However, what followed was a masterclass in defensive batting and mental toughness from KL Rahul. With England’s seamers generating movement and occasional steep bounce, Rahul relied on his experience and patience to weather the storm. Playing close to the body, leaving balls outside off, and showing soft hands, he batted through the entire session and brought up his 18th Test half-century in trying conditions.
Partnering with the aggressive yet increasingly restrained Rishabh Pant, Rahul forged an unbroken 61-run stand for the fourth wicket. Pant, known for his attacking instincts, had a nervy start – surviving an early lbw appeal courtesy of an inside edge and top-edging a sweep shot off Carse that fortunately landed safely near fine leg. However, he gradually settled into a more controlled rhythm, focusing on shot selection and rotating strike, ending the session unbeaten on 31 off 59 balls.
Rahul too had his share of fortune. On 58, he was dropped at gully by Harry Brook off the bowling of Josh Tongue – a costly miss considering the context of the game. Despite the pressure and England’s probing spells, the duo remained unbeaten, ensuring India did not lose further wickets in the 24.1 overs bowled during the session.
This partnership not only helped India rebuild but also kept the hosts at bay, shifting momentum slowly in India’s favor. The duo’s contrasting styles – Rahul’s calm accumulation and Pant’s tempered aggression – complemented each other well, providing India a platform to push for a larger lead in the second session.
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With a strong first-innings total of 471, bolstered by Gill’s century and Ravindra Jadeja’s crucial contributions, India managed a slender six-run lead over England’s 465, where Ollie Pope’s 106 and a fiery 5-wicket haul from Jasprit Bumrah were the highlights. Now, with the lead at 159 and Rahul well set, India finds itself in a position to dictate terms if they can stretch this lead further in the upcoming sessions.
As the pitch continues to deteriorate and the ball shows variable bounce, batting last may prove tricky – making every run in India’s second innings crucial. The onus will be on Rahul and Pant to convert their start into a substantial partnership that could tilt the balance decisively toward the visitors in what has been a closely-fought contest so far.
