India Tightens Grip as Pant Makes History in Thrilling Test
India is in a commanding position against England, thanks to KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. After putting a mammoth total on the board in the first innings, Indian bowlers were unable to restrict the England batters. With just a six-run lead, India needed a strong response in their second innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was unable to repeat his first innings heroics and Sai Sudarshan failed to capitalise on the opportunity once again. Shubman Gill also failed to add runs and was dismissed on a single-digit score. The pressure was now upon KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
India Turns the Tide with Massive Fourth-Wicket Partnership
The visiting team was in a spot of bother after losing their captain early on day 4. The score was 92 for three and India needed at least 200-250 runs more in order to post a respectable target. Rahul batted well at the end of day 3, and he continued his form on day 4. KL kept his composure and scored his third hundred in England as an opener. He surpassed the likes of Vijay Merchant, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid by becoming the first Indian to score three tons as an opener in England.
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This duo added 195 runs for the fourth wicket. Rishabh Pant had the majority of the shares in this partnership. He scored 118 runs in just 140 balls. The left-hander showed some patience while he was batting in his 90s. His wicket fell when India were in a commanding position with 287 runs on the board.
The tail fails
Indian middle order continues to struggle. Pant’s dismissal was a big opening for England bowlers. Karun Nair joined KL Rahul and these two added 46 runs. Carse ended Rahul’s innings. Nair also failed to score big and the rest of the batters struggled against the new ball. From 287 for 3, India were all out on 364. Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue took three wickets each in the second innings.
England batted for six overs on day 4 and scored 21 runs. They need 350 runs on the last day of this record-breaking test match.
Record breaker Pant
Rishabh Pant has proven his game with the red ball over the past few years. His unorthodox approach, combined with a strong technique, makes him a formidable opponent for any team. The 27-year-old score a ton in the first innings against England at Headingly. He added another milestone by becoming the first Indian batter to score a century in both innings of a test match in England. Rishab achieved another milestone by scoring the most runs by an Indian wicketkeeper in a test match. He now has eight tons in test cricket.
Indian batters scored five centuries in the first match. This is the second time that a team has scored five centuries in a test. The last time this event took place was back in 1955, and Australia were the first team to do so. Yashasvi Jaiswal was joined by Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant in achieving this milestone.
