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Key Points

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant smashed brilliant centuries to put India in command at Headingley. Pant made history by becoming the first Indian keeper with twin Test tons overseas. However, India’s lower order collapsed dramatically, losing six wickets for just 31 runs. England now need 371 runs to win with Josh Tongue emerging as their bowling hero.

Key Points: Rahul and Pant Tons Set England 371-Run Target in 1st Test

  • Rahul-Pant 195-run partnership revives India
  • Pant joins Andy Flower with twin Test centuries
  • India collapse loses last 6 wickets for 31
  • Tongue takes 3-72 to spark England fightback
2 min read

1st Test: India set England 371 runs for win after Rahul, Pant tons take them to 364

KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118) shine as India set England 371 to win the 1st Test at Headingley.

"Pant becomes first Indian wicketkeeper with twin tons overseas – BBC Cricket"

Leeds, June 23

India have set England a target of 371 to win the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after being bowled out for 364 in 96 overs of the second innings at Headingley on Monday. For India, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were standout batters with 137 and 118, respectively.

While Rahul was at his calm and composed best to top-score with 137, his ninth Test hundred laced with 18 boundaries, Pant was at his scintillating best after being subdued to smash 118 – his eighth century in the format, aided by 15 boundaries and three sixes.

Before the 195-run stand between Rahul and Pant happened in Headingley, the duo had previously hit centuries while being in a partnership previously at The Oval in 2018. Pant also smashed many records – becoming the first wicketkeeper and fifth batter from India to score two hundreds in the same Test match in overseas conditions.

Pant is now just the second wicketkeeper-batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test after Andy Flower did so in 2001. Interestingly, instead of his trademark handspring celebration, he brought out the one that British footballer Dele Alli has made popular.

But after Pant and Rahul fell, India suffered yet another batting collapse, as they lost their last six wickets for just 31 runs. Once again, Josh Tongue had a major impact in removing India's tail and being England’s standout bowler with 3-72 in 18 overs, with all three of his scalps coming in an over.

The final session began with KL Rahul and Karun Nair getting five quick boundaries collectively before Brydon Carse made the breakthrough as he managed to get some extra bounce and forced the former to chop onto his stumps. One brought two for England as Nair punched a full ball back to Chris Woakes for a simple return catch.

After that, Tongue took over to quicken the end of India’s innings – Shardul Thakur nicked behind to first slip, Mohammed Siraj was dismissed for a golden duck through a well-directed bouncer, and Jasprit Bumrah missed a fuller ball while going for a slog and could only see his middle stump being uprooted.

India’s innings ended when Prasidh Krishna holed out in the deep off Shoaib Bashir, as England went off in good spirits to take charge for the chase.

Brief scores:

India 471 and 364 in 96 overs (KL Rahul 137, Rishabh Pant 118; Josh Tongue 3-72, Brydon Carse 3-80) lead England 465 by 370 runs

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
What a partnership between Rahul and Pant! 🇮🇳 Both showed such different but equally effective styles of batting. Rahul's patience and Pant's aggression - perfect combo. Just wish our tailenders could have shown more resistance. 370 is defendable but England's batting is strong. Bumrah & Co. need to fire tomorrow!
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Priya M.
Pant is just magical to watch! 😍 That Dele Alli celebration was hilarious - shows how much he enjoys his cricket. But seriously, two centuries in a Test match abroad? This boy is special. Hope he keeps this form going for WTC final too!
A
Amit S.
The batting collapse at the end is worrying yaar. Same old story - top order does the hard work and tail surrenders meekly. Our bowlers will have to work extra hard now. Tongue was brilliant though, credit where it's due.
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Sanjay R.
KL Rahul proving his worth yet again! People were questioning his place in Tests but this innings was pure class. His overseas record is actually better than at home - proper Test match batsman. Hope he converts this into consistent performances.
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Neha T.
Exciting match so far! But 370 on English soil with their batting lineup... fingers crossed 🤞 Our bowlers need to be disciplined. That new ball will be crucial - hope Bumrah gets Root early like he usually does!
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Vikram J.
Pant's keeping has improved so much along with his batting. Remember when people said he's only good for T20s? Now he's breaking Test records! That said, we need to work on our lower order batting - can't keep relying on top 6 every time.

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