ENG vs IND: 378 repeat on cards? England back themselves to hunt down 371 vs India at Headingley as Tongue denies any draw chance
After four days of fighting cricket in the first England vs India Anderson-Tendulkar Test at Headingley in Leeds, the match is perfectly set up for a thrilling end while heading into the final day on Tuesday. With 21 for no loss, England are 350 behind and looking at their style of play, the Ben Stokes side is expected to go for India's 371-run target and not play for a draw.
England's pacer Josh Tongue reiterated this thought process after the close of day's play on Monday, which saw India getting bundled out for 364 after being 333 for four at one stage.
Asked if there was any scenario where a draw would become a good result, Tongue said: 'No. Just go for the win. That's the clear message in the changing room. We'll try and be as positive as we can in that first session, then see where we are at lunch – then we'll take things from there.'
Tongue picked three wickets — Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah — in a single over to run through India's tailenders and give England a realistic chance in this Test.
In their last 36 Tests under Stokes, England have managed just one draw, that too in the rain-affected Manchester Test in the 2023 Ashes. While the weather in Leeds on Sunday may once again play a role, Tongue feels England can replicate what they did in Edgbaston in 2022.
'With our batting line-up I feel we can chase down anything. Their bowlers are going to bowl well in periods, but it's about soaking up that pressure and putting it back on the bowlers. I don't see why we can't chase it. Obviously we're really confident. If you look at our batting line-up it's very strong. We play a positive brand of cricket,' said Tongue.
England chased down 378 against India in the fifth and last (rescheduled Test due to the pandemic) in Birmingham for their highest chase in Tests.
Indian opener KL Rahul also second Tongue's opinion when the same question. He said, 'I agree with Josh Tongue. There's definitely going to be a result. That's what England have said very openly and their style of cricket suggests that as well. It gives us a good opportunity to pick up 10 wickets.'
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