India vs England Highlights Day 4: Pant and Rahul Deliver Masterclass
The India vs England Highlights Day 4 from Headingley were dominated by a spectacular batting display from Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, who both notched up magnificent centuries to put India in a commanding position. Despite a late flurry of wickets that swung some momentum back England’s way, India set a formidable target of 371 runs, leaving the hosts needing 350 on the final day with all ten wickets still in hand. The day’s play, particularly the Pant-Rahul stand, will be etched in the memories of cricket fans as a testament to India’s batting prowess. India vs England Highlights Day 4
Morning Session: Early Jitters and Resolute Response
Day 4 began with a slight hitch for India as Brydon Carse, replacing Shoaib Bashir after a single delivery to complete the previous over, struck immediately. The pacer produced a fine delivery that nipped back in, taking the inside edge of captain Shubman Gill’s bat and clattering into the stumps. This early blow, with the score at 92/3, could have easily triggered a collapse. However, the India vs England Highlights Day 4 soon shifted to a narrative of recovery and counter-attack. India vs England Highlights Day 4
Rishabh Pant, taking the aggressive route, charged down the track on just his second delivery to smash Chris Woakes past the boundary. At the other end, KL Rahul brought up his first half-century of the tour, showcasing his growing confidence. Woakes tried to trouble Rahul, but Pant’s audacious approach continued, thumped another boundary off the experienced bowler, even causing England to burn a review in desperation. Rahul, meanwhile, settled into a rhythm, weathering the storm and finding runs by punching Ben Stokes through the covers to move into the 70s. By lunch, the Pant-Rahul partnership had solidified India’s position, taking the lead past 150 runs with the score at 153/3. India vs England Highlights Day 4
Post-Lunch Dominance: Centuries Galore
The post-lunch session was a true masterclass from both Pant and Rahul, making for compelling India vs England Highlights Day 4. Pant, who had already reached his fifty, continued his aggressive yet calculated approach. He effortlessly dispatched short deliveries from Brydon Carse, ticking them away for boundaries, and showcased his incredible power by pumping a wide delivery through the covers for four, bringing him within touching distance of a century. India vs England Highlights Day 4
Meanwhile, KL Rahul, having displayed immense patience and technique, reached his brilliant century with a perfectly placed punch through cover, securing his place as the first Indian opener to score three Test hundreds in England. This landmark also highlighted the growing confidence within the Indian dressing room. Pant then reached his own momentous hundred, becoming only the second wicketkeeper-batter in Test history to score two centuries in a single Test match. He celebrated by launching Root for a six down the ground and then an incredible one-handed six over covers, followed by a slog-swept four. This period of play saw India’s lead swell beyond 300, and the two batters seemed to be toying with the English attack.
Late Drama: England’s Fightback and Final Day Setup
Despite the dominance, the latter part of the day saw a dramatic turn in the India vs England Highlights Day 4. Just after Pant’s heroics, he fell attempting another big shot, caught at long-on off Shoaib Bashir for a magnificent 118. Soon after, KL Rahul departed for a match-defining 137, dragging a delivery from Woakes onto his stumps. The tail then offered minimal resistance, with a late flurry of wickets (including three in four balls from Tongue) seeing India collapse from a strong position to 364 all out. This sudden shift in momentum provided England with a psychological boost heading into their chase.
Chasing 371 for an improbable victory – the highest successful run chase in England was 404 at this very venue in 1948 – England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, navigated a challenging six overs from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. They ended Day 4 unscathed at 21/0, needing another 350 runs on the final day. The stage is now set for a thrilling Day 5, promising a captivating conclusion to what has been an extraordinary Test match.
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