A dramatic final session of Day 5 at Headingley saw rain interrupt what was shaping up to be a thrilling climax to the 1st Test between England and India. England reached 269/4 in 58.3 overs, needing just 102 more runs with six wickets in hand before bad light and rain forced players off the field for Tea.
Rain is the last thing England needed at this stage — just 102 runs away from a historic win with six wickets in hand — and yet, it arrived like a saviour for Team India. With momentum shifting slightly in India’s favour thanks to Shardul Thakur’s brilliant back-to-back wickets, the rain break at Headingley on Day 5 helped the visitors regroup and cut crucial time from England’s chase.
England were cruising in their fourth innings at 253/2 when Shardul delivered a game-changing over. First, he dismissed Ben Duckett, who had scored a superb 149 and dominated the chase. Just one ball later, Harry Brook fell for a golden duck, caught down the leg side by Pant. Suddenly, the match that seemed to be slipping away from India had tilted slightly back in their favour.
At Tea, England were 269/4 in 58.3 overs with Ben Stokes (13*) and Joe Root (14*) at the crease. They now require 102 more runs with 37.3 overs left in the day. Rain halted play just as England had regained a solid footing, but the break is a blessing for India. It eats into the available overs, and with Shardul sparking a mini-collapse, the pressure is mounting again on the hosts.
Duckett’s 149 — now the highest fourth-innings score against India — had England on track, but the sudden twist, coupled with rain, has left the match delicately poised. For India, the weather is a strategic ally. For England, it’s an unwanted delay in what looked like an easy march to victory.
