Leeds Test, Day 4: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant slam centuries to propel India's lead past 300 at Tea
New Delhi: Team India vice-captain Rishabh Pant and opener KL Rahul slammed centuries apiece to propel the visitors to a strong total of 298/4, helping them amass a formidable lead of 304 runs in their second innings at Tea on Day 4 of the ongoing Leeds Test against England. Pant smashed a brilliant knock of 118 runs, notching up his second straight ton after his 134 in the first innings as he became the first Indian to score a century in each innings of a Test match in England.
Pant, who surpassed MS Dhoni to claim the record for the most centuries by an Indian wicket-keeper batter in Tests with his ton in the first innings, made it two centuries in two innings with his 118-run knock in the second innings. It was Pant’s 8th ton in Test cricket and his fourth on English soil, as he became the only Indian keeper-batter to score a century in each innings of a Test match anywhere in the world.
Pant also became only the second wicket-keeper batter after Zimbabwe legend Andy Flower to score a century in each innings of a Test match. Pant completed his century off 130 deliveries, before upping the ante. He was caught after scoring 118 off 140 balls, laced with 15 fours and three sixes. Pant combined with fellow centurion Rahul to help India dominate the first two sessions on Day 4.
Earlier, opener Rahul, who scored a valuable 42 in the first innings, notched up a well-deserved ton in India’s second innings at Headingley on Day 4. Resuming from his overnight score of 47, Rahul completed his ninth Test century off 202 deliveries in the 62nd over of India’s innings. The stylish right-hander steadied the ship for India after the visitors lost skipper Shubman Gill early on Day 4, and played exceptionally well under pressure.
Rahul continued his impressive run overseas in whites with his third ton in England. He now holds the record for the most tons by an Indian opener in Test matches in England, surpassing Rahul Dravid and the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who scored two Test tons each as openers on English soil. While Pant was sent back on 118, Rahul remained unbeaten on 120 for India at Tea on Day 4 at Headingley on Monday.
After India lost Gill cheaply on 8 off 16 balls in the first session on Day 4, Rahul and Pant combined to bail the team out of trouble with an excellent 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket. After Pant’s dismissal, Rahul joined hands with new batter Karun Nair to add an unbeaten 11 runs for the 5th wicket. Rahul and Nair will be hoping to score quickly as India look to set an imposing target, before inviting England for their second innings at Headingley on Day 4.