India batter KL Rahul remarked that the pitch at Headingley during the first Test against England resembled sub-continent conditions, and he predicted that scoring runs on Day 5 would be a tough challenge. Rahul led the scoring in India’s second innings with a gritty 137 off 247 deliveries.
India resumed on 90/2 and were bowled out for 364 in 96 overs on June 23. While Gill fell for 8, Rahul (137) and Pant (118) added a vital 195-run stand. However, a lower-order collapse saw India lose their last six wickets for 31 runs. England ended Day 4 at 21/0 after six overs.
Reflecting on the Day 4 action in an interview with JioHotstar, Rahul shared his thoughts on the Leeds surface, stating (as per ESPNcricinfo):
“I think the first two days, being as hot as it was, the pitch has taken a bit of beating. 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.”
A knock that spoke less, but said everything
Proud of you son @klrahul pic.twitter.com/1AqH1tpMce— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) June 23, 2025
However, KL Rahul acknowledged that regardless of the pitch conditions, England’s batters were likely to attack on Day 5. He emphasized the need for the Indian bowlers to maintain a tight line and show patience. Rahul further explained:
“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.”
KL Rahul Scripts History With Century In Leeds Test vs England
Rahul’s century on Monday at Leeds marked his third Test hundred as an opener in England, making him the Indian opener with the most Test centuries in the country. Previously, the record was jointly held by Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, and Rahul Dravid — each of whom had scored two tons in England.
Before his recent hundred, the right-hander had notched up scores of 149 at The Oval in September 2018 and 129 at Lord’s in August 2021.
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