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India On The Verge To Enter Historic Unwanted List After Poor Bowling Display On Day 5

Anurag Dasgupta

India to enter unwanted list [Source: AP Photo] India to enter unwanted list [Source: AP Photo]

A target of 371 to defend on the 5th day of a Test match favours the bowling team, however, in the clash between India and England at Headingley, the home side is riding high and have pushed India on the back foot. Chasing a tricky target against India, the England openers were off to a flying start as they dominated the proceedings.

The Indian bowlers looked lethargic in front of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley as the two batters took advantage of the situation and added more than 100-plus runs for the opening wicket. Under overcast conditions, the Jasprit Bumrah-led bowling unit was supposed to perform well, but England openers had some other plans.

If India go on to lose the Test match while defending 371, the Shubman Gill led side will enter an unwanted list, comprising of New Zealand and Pakistan.

The unwanted record India can register if they lose at Headingley

If India lose this match, they would do so with a total of 835 runs in two innings. Only three times in Test history has a team made more runs in a Test and lost. In the current top eight of highest match totals to lose are as follows: Pakistan's 847 in Rawalpindi in 2022, New Zealand's 837 at Trent Bridge in the same year and Pakistan's 776 at Multan last year.

Interestingly, both New Zealand and Pakistan suffered defeats at the hands of Ben Stokes' Bazball side, England and India could follow the same path if they fail to defend the target.

England aiming to pull off the second highest chase at Headingley

For starters, England have not lost a single wicket and if they chase down 371 runs, it could be the second-highest chase by any team at Headingley, Leeds. Australia chased down 404 in 1948 and England at this very ground slammed 362/9 to beat the Aussies in 2019, a Test match famous for the Ben Stokes heroics.

If England beat India here, this will be their second-highest chase against India in Tests. 3 years ago at Birmingham, the side eased past the target of 378 and showcased to the world their chasing abilities.