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India Collapse To 364 Despite Rahul, Pant’s Tons As England Bounce Back Late On Day 4

Akshita Patel

India-England Day 4 report [Source: @BCCI/X.com]India-England Day 4 report [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

Team India dominated the first two sessions of Day 4 of the Headingley Test as KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant knitted a 195-run partnership, scoring a century each. However, in the third session, the lower order collapsed as India set up a 371-run target for England. At stumps, the hosts were 21/0.

Here’s a quick summary of Day 4 of the 1st Test between IND and ENG:

KL Rahul Rescues India After Shubman Gill’s Failure

On Day 4 of the Headingley Test between India and England, the overnight pair KL Rahul and Shubman Gill walked out to bat. Conditions were overcast with strong winds, meaning the visitors were in for a challenge in the first hour.

Skipper Gill was dismissed for just 8 runs off 16 balls. England’s Brydon Carse bowled a peach of a delivery that nipped back in off a good length. Gill, looking to cut, was cramped for room and inside-edged the ball onto his stumps.

Regardless, KL Rahul helped India recover. He knitted a solid 195-run mega partnership with Rishabh Pant to pile up 287 runs on the board in 71 overs. Rahul, who missed out on a potential century in the first inning, accomplished his unfinished business to slam a 202-ball hundred. 

The moment came when he drove Bashir through the sweeper cover for 2 runs, followed by a heartfelt celebration, kissing the Indian crest on his helmet, raising his bat, and glancing skyward in gratitude.

Rishabh Pant Joined The Party With Historic 2nd Hundred

While KL Rahul was anchoring the inning from one end, Rishabh Pant played a much quicker knock on the other end. He smashed 3 audacious sixes and 15 fours to bring up his second hundred of the Test match. He took a sharp single off Shoaib Bashir, etching his name into elite company with a rare feat.

With these centuries, he becomes only the second wicketkeeper in Test history to score a hundred in both innings of a match.

Karun Nair Wastes Another Opportunity

After Rishabh Pant was dismissed on 118 by Bashir, Rahul was also deceived and cleaned up by Carse as he walked back after a commendable 137-run knock. Karun Nair, who is making his Test comeback after 8 years, was eyeing redemption after a duck in the first inning. 

While he got off the mark, Nair made a costly misjudgment. Facing Chris Woakes, Karun leaned into a drive that lacked conviction. Instead of finding the gap, he pushed it tamely straight back into the hands of Woakes, who reacted smartly in his follow-through to complete the catch. Nair walked back on another disappointing 20 off 54 balls.

India Collapses As England Turn Tables In 3rd Session

Following Karun Nair’s dismissal at 335/6, India’s lower middle order collapsed again. Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah went back on ducks, whereas Ravindra Jadeja was left stranded on 25* as India got bowled out for 364, setting a target of 371 runs for England.

In the fourth inning, England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley survived a new ball spell. At stumps on on Day 4, England had 21 runs on the board at the loss of zero wickets, with 350 needed to win in 3 sessions.