KL Rahul brought up a brilliant century and Rishabh Pant continued his counterattacking knock as India took a commanding 240-run lead over England on Day 4 of the 1st Test at Headingley. At Tea, India were 234/3 in 62 overs with Rahul unbeaten on 100 and Pant scoring an aggressive 82 off 99 balls.
Rahul reached his milestone with a classy drive for two off Shoaib Bashir, earning hugs and smiles from the Indian dressing room. The right-hander kissed the Indian crest on his helmet and embraced Pant after completing what was described as one of his finest Test innings.
Earlier in the session, India resumed at 90/2 but lost Shubman Gill early, bowled by Brydon Carse for 8. However, Rahul and Pant steadied the innings and built an unbeaten 142-run partnership that frustrated the English bowlers.
Pant, playing his trademark attacking style, smashed 11 fours and two sixes, notching up his third fifty in England. India, having bowled England out for 465 in response to their first-innings 471, now look to set an imposing fourth-innings target as dark clouds loom over Leeds.
The visitors will aim to stretch their lead past 400, especially with rain likely to disrupt play on Day 5. With 52 overs left in the day and both set batters in the middle, India are in a strong position to dictate terms.
