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"India Have To Be Favourites": Stuart Broad Warns England Ahead Of Day 5 Clash

Soumyajit Dutta

Stuart Broad [Source: @wercricket/X.com]Stuart Broad [Source: @wercricket/X.com]

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad labelled India clear favourites heading into the final day of the first Test at Headingley, where England need a record 371 runs to win. India set the daunting target after scoring 364 in their second innings.

No team in the history of five-day Tests at Headingley has successfully chased such a high total. The venue’s highest successful run chase remains the 404 by Don Bradman’s Australia in 1948, achieved during a six-day Test. Speaking after Day 4, Broad emphasised India’s advantage on a deteriorating pitch. 

Stuart Broad Wants England To Be Cautious

Speaking to Sky Sports, Stuart Broad stated that England will be facing a tough time while going through the new ball phase early on Day 5.

"Getting through that new ball period is going to be key for England tomorrow. I think India have to be favourites on a Day 5 pitch. They only need to create 10 opportunities, and they need to take their catches," Broad said.

However, Broad also considered the fact that England will be giving a tough fight and Gill & Co. will have to work hard to get things their way.

"They have to be favourites, but England will be talking themselves up in the dressing room and thinking they are favourites. Gill has a responsibility to use the bowlers well. They need to come in and whack the pitch as hard as they can," Broad added.

England made a steady start in their final innings, reaching 21/0 in six overs before stumps. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett remained unbeaten, surviving a testing spell from Jasprit Bumrah. The hosts now face a monumental task to rewrite history on Day 5.