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June 24, 2025

England set 371 to win opener after Pant and Rahul masterclass

England set 371 to win opener after Pant and Rahul masterclass
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England have been set a challenging but chaseable target of 371 by India in the first Test at Headingley, after commanding centuries from Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul flicked momentum firmly in India’s favor.

On day four, Pant and Rahul stitched together a crucial 195-run partnership that swung control back to India. Rahul’s elegant 137 underpinned the innings, while Pant added 118, becoming the second wicket keeper after Andy Flower to score two Test centuries in a match.

Despite India’s dominance, England struck back late on day four as Josh Tongue tore through the tail, claiming three wickets in four deliveries and triggering a collapse of six wickets for just 31 runs. India were bowled out for 364, leaving England facing 371 to win.

England responded with a solid final session. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett finished the day at 21/0, giving fans hope ahead of the final day push.

Josh Tongue, buoyed by England’s late burst. When speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “No. I think we’ll just go for the win… With our batting lineup, I feel we can chase anything down.”

England face the second-highest chase at Headingley (just behind Stokes’s 359 in 2019), needing 350 runs from 90 overs which is no small feat.

The pitch remains batsman-friendly, but Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja could provide mid-innings breakthroughs.India will aim to maintain pressure with their experienced batting depth and fresh bowling attack.

England face a monumental chase — one of the biggest in Headingley’s history — but with all ten wickets in hand, they're inspired by past comebacks. If the hosts can summon a “Bazball”-style effort and survive the Indian strike power, they could snatch a dramatic opening win.


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