ENG vs IND 2025: England restrict India below 400 despite Pant and Rahul’s centuries on Day 4

Day 4 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, saw England make a recovery with the ball despite hundreds from India’s batters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. While the Indian pair put together an amazing 195-run partnership, a repeated lower-order collapse reduced them to 364 in their second innings, setting England a target of 371.

At stumps, England were 21 for no loss, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett undefeated after six overs.

With only ten wickets remaining, the host team needs 350 runs on Day 5, while India needs all ten wickets to win.

Earlier in the day, India resumed their innings with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill on the crease. However, Gill left early and was replaced by Brydon Carse. That dismissal brought KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant to the crease.

Rahul (137) went on to score his third Test century in England, becoming him the most prolific Indian opener in the country. Meanwhile, Pant struck 118 off 140 balls to complete a Test double century (134 in the first innings). By doing so, he became only the second wicketkeeper in history, after Andy Flower, to hit century in both innings of a Test match.

India’s lower-order disappoints yet again.

Despite reaching 287/3 at one point and leading by more than 300 runs, India collapsed, losing the last seven wickets for 77 runs. Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse cleaned up the tail, with the former taking three wickets in one over. Tongue finished with 3/72, and Carse walked back after 3/80. India’s lower order, numbered 8 to 11, scored just 9 runs throughout both innings.

England, seeking 371 runs, will rely on their formidable batting lineup and favourable batting conditions to get the job done. On the other side, India will look to Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja to make an early impression and pick up quick wickets on the last day.