The first Test of the five-match India vs England Test series 2025 stands at a tantalizing juncture where all four results are possible heading into day 5 at Headingley in Leeds.
India have set England a target of 371 runs, of which the hosts cut down 21 runs in 6 overs in the last half hour of day 4.
On day 4, India lost Shubman Gill in the first full over of the day. But Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul forged an outstanding partnership of 195 runs. Rahul, who had failed to convert his score of 42 in the first innings, made another of his terrific overseas centuries—7 of his 8 Test hundreds have come away from home.
While Rahul was measured and selective in his innings, at the other end, Pant was typical Pant, keeping both dressing rooms on the edge of their seats with his 118 off 140, his second century in the match.
After the Rahul-Pant partnership, though, others couldn’t really contribute much; apart from these two, no Indian batsman scored more than 30 runs in India’s second innings, resulting in them getting bowled out for 364, which Rahul lamented.
He said, “Ideally, from the position we were in, we would have wanted at least 40 or 50 runs more.”
The last six Tests at Headingley have been won by the side that bowled first, and the last three have been some tall run chases.
England will certainly go after this target, said pacer Josh Tongue: “(We will) just go for the win. That’s the clear message in the changing room.”
To win the match, England need 350 more runs, and India need 10 wickets in potentially 90 overs of play. However, the match could well end in a draw as well, because rain could threaten to impact day 5.
Weather is likely to play a huge role on day 5 in the India vs England Headingley Test. There is an 84% chance of rain on Tuesday in Leeds, with showers forecasted in the lead-up to the start of the day. Rain could force a delayed start to day 5. The weather report also predicts intermittent showers through the day, meaning that there could be stoppages in play.
Cloud cover is expected to remain for most of the day in Leeds, which is a positive sign for India. Further, the pitch has gotten challenging as day 4 wore on, with the odd ball either shooting up or staying low. This inconsistent bounce could make run-scoring difficult for England.
Should England chase 371, it will be the second-highest successful run chase at Headingley in Test cricket.
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