Centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant put India in a commanding position in the first Test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, being played at the iconic Yorkshire Cricket Ground in Leeds. India posted 364 runs in their second innings, setting England a challenging target of 371 to win.
With a slender first-innings lead of just six runs, India needed something special to take control and they got exactly that from their batting heroes. Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, made history by becoming only the second wicketkeeper in Test cricket history to score centuries in both innings of a match. His brilliant 118 off just 140 balls not only accelerated India’s innings but also etched his name in the record books as the first Indian to score twin centuries in a Test in England.
Pant’s innings was a mix of aggression and flair, featuring 15 boundaries and three sixes. He found a solid partner in KL Rahul, who played a gritty knock of 137 off 257 balls, anchoring the innings and frustrating the English bowlers. Together, the pair added a massive 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket, lifting India from a precarious position and giving them breathing room.
India started Day 4 at 90 for two, and captain Shubman Gill also departed in the first session. But the Rahul-Pant stand turned the momentum. Both batters fell in the final session while trying to accelerate and set a formidable target for England.
Rahul’s knock included 18 elegant fours, while Pant punished the spinners mercilessly, particularly Shoaib Bashir, before eventually holing out to Zak Crawley at long-on.
In response, England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley safely negotiated the remaining six overs of the day, adding 21 runs without loss. With 350 runs still to get on the final day and all ten wickets in hand, England face an uphill battle, while India will be eager to strike early and push for a series-opening victory.
Brief scores:
India: 471 and 364 all out in 96 overs (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Josh Tongue 3/72, Brydon Carse 3/80).
England 1st innings: 465 all out.