India vs England 1st Test Match, Leeds : Day Four

 India vs England 1st Test Match Leeds.

 Day four :

Wil it be India or England. 5th day of this test match has become interesting with exceptional display by both the teams. Chasing 371 in 4th innings is going to be very competitive particularly checking out on the history of run chased on this ground. In 1948 team led by the greatest Sir Don Bradman won by scoring 404 for 3 and in 2019 it was England against Australia scoring 362 for 9. Other results were not as close to 371 in the 4th innings.

It is said that Luck favours the brave and Indian Vice Captain Pant proved that once again with his fearless display of all round stroke play which resulted in clueless Ben Stokes on what next !. After taking Gill’s wicket very early on 4th day, England were extremely elated by sending two centurion of 1st innings to the pavillion without any notable contribution and hoped for a successful day ahead.

KL Rahul the seasoned campaigner, started from where he lef previous dayover to play a rock solid innings without any blemish barring one chance to take India to a respectable position. Pant who was in his usual self driving, cutting, pulling, odd shots flying over the wicket keeper and slip area was enthralling the crowd and giving a lively support to his senior. Both the batters scored at will and their partnership of 195 runs is the talking point of India’s 2nd innings.

KL Rahul completed his much needed century  filled with, character and discipline. A treat to watch for all Cricket followers.

Pant completed his well deserved 100 patiently after reaching 90 knowing fully well how much important his contribution will count for his Country. Stokes running out of ideas introduced Root to bowl his off spin, but Pant never fall prey to this ploy and played to the merit of the ball. It was a big relief on his face after completing the 100, but this time it was without any  somersault celebrations; who knows may be he has kept for the victory…! It was his eighth century and he also has seven scores in 90s which may have further prompted him to be patient and achieve the feat.

New ball was taken by England and once the sun peeked in and the ball softened it was better to bat on with odd ball rising off the wicket. After scoring 118 a tired looking shot off Bashir ended his innings not before creating couple of records in the bargain. He is the first Wicket Keeper for India scoring century in each innings against England, second only to Andy Flower in World Test Cricket as Wicket Keeper to score century in both the innings. It was 287 for 4 and another quality batter was in the crease. Karun Nair had to prove his selection and played cautiously giving support to KL Rahul. But Rahul in similar fashion as Gill dragged the ball onto the stumps got out to a moderately rising delivery off Crawley. With his personal score at 137 he walked back nodding his head but not before adding a crucial 46 runs partnership with K Nair.

However the new ball played its trick and the same story repeats as was in first innings, a sudden collapse happened this time also where from 333 runs for 4 wickets Indian team started losing wickets and with only addition of 31 runs the team folded at 364 all out thereby leading by 370 runs. Karun Nair with 20 runs and Jadeja playing to control the slide, chipped in with useful 25 runs. The Indian tail is really getting exposed unlike their opponents. 

Carse and Tongue got 3 wickets each, with later clearing the tail much to the amusement of home team crowd. Stokes, Woakes and Bashir a wicket each were the other wicket takers.

371 to win and a day left it was for England to play the remaining 4th days play patiently and India on the other hand to have atleast a wicket. Bumrah opened with his usual style with a hope of breakthrough but it was not to be. Siraj was sketchy and couldn’t extract any benefit. It is upto the other bowlers to render their support to Bumrah on 5th day for a victory.

England scored 21 without loss off 6 overs and now wait for the final day with a task in hand to score required 350 runs.

Batting side will have their options to use roller for a steady wicket for their batting against Indian bowling attack with Bumrah & pacers and Jadeja the sole spinner. It will be on Captain Gill to apply himself by rotating the bowlers using the respective bowling ends which were producing odd bounce and rely on his bowling options to get the game in their favour in the first session and first hour of the play. Also the predictions of morning or afternoon rains may change the course of the game, but at the end the Cricket will be the winner.

It is said by all greats and lately by Virat with his advise to all who are pursuing Cricket to be more focused on Test Cricket which is the Ultimate test of a player.

We all hope for a great Cricketing 5th day at Leeds.

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