Cracks opening up, Headingley is like a subcontinent pitch on Day 5, says KL Rahul as India eye famous win
Going into the final day of the first Test, there is plenty of intrigue around the Headingley pitch which hasn't showed any big signs of deteriorating. When Day 4 began it was lively before a few deliveries kept low as the day progressed with spinners getting some purchase from the rough. As England go into the final day needing 350 runs and India needing 10 wickets, and bit of showers predicted through the day, the Test is heading for a fitting climax.
Off late the pitch has become batting friendly with teams comfortably chasing 300-plus totals. And India batsman KL Rahul, who scored a century at the top, revealed that the pitch reminded him of sub-continental conditions. 'I think the first two days, being as hot as it was, the pitch has taken a bit of beating,' Rahul said in an interview with Jiostar at stumps on Day 4. 'The crack seems like it's opening up. There's a bit of rough there, and the wicket is really dry. Mostly, it's like a subcontinent wicket on day five,' Rahul said.
The opener who became the first Asian opener to score three centuries in England said India expect the hosts to come hard at them. 'Day five wicket won't be as easy, but knowing how England play and their style of cricket, they're going to come hard and try and score boundaries and try and score runs as quickly as possible. We need to keep that in the back of our heads and try and bowl as straight as we can. Try and be patient and really not give them those boundaries, make them earn their runs. It should be a very interesting day.'
Hear from KL Rahul after his superb 137 in the second innings. 🔝🗣️#SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/YvuL5kzxh7
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 24, 2025
Rahul said the conditions on Day 4 were typically English where the ball seamed around in the morning. Even on Day 5, conditions are expected to be overcast which could bring the seamers very much into play. 'It was very different this morning. It almost felt like it was the first time we were actually in English conditions. The ball was seeming around, it was overcast. There was a bit happening from the wicket.
'The first couple of days when we batted, there wasn't much. There was a bit of swing in the air, but nothing off the pitch. But this morning it was a really good spell. I just felt like I needed to play tighter and make sure that we don't lose too many wickets and make sure that I kill the first session. I was trying to play as straight as possible. At least defend as straight as possible.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
'Can You Hit Big Sixes?': Prasidh Krishna Holes Out After Being Teased By Harry Brook
Last Updated: Prasidh Krishna was challenged to hit a big six and he accepted it only to be caught in the deep. There has been plenty of chatter between India and England stars in the ongoing first Test between India and England. From Rishabh Pant's cheeky admiration for Ben Stokes to a heated exchange between Harry Brook and Mohammed Siraj – there's been plenty of on-field drama. During Day 4 of the contest, Brook was at the center of another verbal exchange that resulted in India getting bowled out for 364 in their second dig in Leeds on Monday. During the 96th over of India innings, with spinner Shoaib Bashir operating from one end, Brook teased tailender Prasidh Krishna by enquiring about his big six-hitting abilities. 'Can you hit big sixes?" asked Brook who was fielding in the slips. Krishna, took it sportingly, and responded, 'If I had to, I would be called Brook." However, the needling seemed to have got to the India no. 11 who went for the big shot the very next delivery and ended up being caught in the deep for an 11-ball duck. Watch the exchange below: 'Can you hit big sixes?" — Harry Brook on the stump mic… and Prasidh goes for it on the very next ball and gets Test cricket theatre — brought to you by the mic (and a bit of mischief). 🎭 #ENGvIND | 1st Test, Day 5 | TUE, 24th JUNE, 2:30 PM on JioHotstar! — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 24, 2025 Krishna's exit completed another lower-order collapse for India in the contest. From 333/4, the tourists slipped to 364-all out – losing their last six wickets for the addition of just 31 runs. In the first innings too, India lost seven wickets for 41 runs to be bowled out for 471. In reply, England made 465 despite a brilliant five-wicket haul from Jasprit Bumrah. Centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118) in the second innings helped India set England 371 to win the Test. At the close of play on the fourth day, the hosts were 21/0 and need 350 runs more to win on the Day 5. First Published:
India.com
26 minutes ago
- India.com
India vs England 1st Test, Day 5 Weather Update: Will Rain Deny India Famous Win At Leeds, Headingley?
IND vs ENG: Day 5 of the ongoing first Test between India and England at Headingley promises to be a nail-biting affair, with both sides still in contention. However, with rain threats dominating the forecast, the final result might well depend on how much play is possible on Tuesday. Pant, Rahul Heroics Give India Upper Hand India posted a commanding total of 364 in their second innings, thanks to two brilliant centuries by Rishabh Pant (118) and KL Rahul (137). Their partnership put India firmly in control, setting England a challenging target of 371 to win the Test. In reply, England reached 21/0 by stumps on Day 4, leaving them with 350 runs to chase on the final day. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett held firm in the final session, but the real test awaits against the new ball on Tuesday morning. Rain To Play Spoilsport The biggest concern heading into Day 5 is the weather. According to Accuweather, Leeds is expected to be cold and windy on June 24, with an 84% chance of rain. Showers are expected to begin around 9 AM local time (1:30 PM IST) and may disrupt the morning session. While forecasts suggest a break in rain during match time (11 AM local/3:30 PM IST), another spell is predicted to arrive by 2 PM (6:30 PM IST), potentially leading to significant delays and interruptions. With a full day of play uncertain, both teams will be desperate to seize every opportunity. Stuart Broad Picks India as Favourites Former England pacer Stuart Broad has backed India to clinch victory, citing their position of strength and the challenge of batting on a Day 5 pitch. Speaking on Sky Sports, Broad said: "Getting through that new ball period is going to be key for England tomorrow. I think India have to be favourites on a day five pitch. They only need to create 10 opportunities, and they need to take their catches." Bowling Firepower vs Bazball With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja in top form, India's bowling attack will look to exploit the pitch and weather conditions. England, on the other hand, will need a monumental batting effort to chase the highest fourth innings target ever at Headingley. If the rain stays away, fans can expect an intense battle between bat and ball. But with showers expected to return intermittently, time could be the biggest obstacle in India's quest to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.
NDTV
37 minutes ago
- NDTV
England Great Disappointed With Rishabh Pant Despite Record Breaking Twin Centuries: "Can You Explain..."
India vice-captain Rishabh Pant shattered several records after smashing his second century of the match on Day 4 of the 1st Test against England in Leeds. Unlike the first innings, Pant did not hit a boundary to get to triple figures, and instead pushed for a single when he was on 99. Many were expecting Pant to bring out his trademark somersault celebration, just like he did after reaching the landmark in the first innings. However, he unleased footballer Dele Alli's viral celebration from 2018. Former England captain Michael Vaughan, who was also waiting for Pant to do a somersault, said he was disasppointed with the player not doing the same after smashing his century. "Can you explain what that celebration is? Do you know what that is? I was waiting for that flip as well. I was rather disappointed on commentary when he didn't produce a double flip. Knowing Rishabh, he's always going to try to improve his celebrations, but I guess your celebration is probably taking this bit," Vaughan asked former India captain Sunil Gavaskar on Sony Sports Network. Gavaskar explained the reason behind his celebration in the second innings. "No, this is, I think that's basically, thanking the gods above. He had something on his eye. He kind of put us on the signal," replied Gavaskar. Cameras panned towards Gavaskar in the stand, gesturing towards Pant to do the somersault flip when he raised his century. It further added to the special chemistry between the duo. During the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy, Gavaskar had remarked 'Pant's dismissal as 'Stupid. Stupid. Stupid' before labelling his first innings hundred against England at Headingley as 'Superb. Superb. Superb.' Pant made his way to the crease after India skipper Shubman Gill was dismissed in the opening over of the day by Brydon Carse. The 27-year-old started his innings in the usual aggressive and unorthodox fashion, but understood and respected the conditions. After scoring 31 off 59 deliveries before lunch, he took the attack to English bowlers, especially Shoaib Bashir, and raised his century in 130 balls. After reaching his century milestone, Pant was dismissed to ramp up India's score to 118, off Joe Root.
