- By Gurmeet Batra
- Tue, 24 Jun 2025 07:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
India National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match: India opener KL Rahul has claimed that the visitors will seize the opportunity to dismiss England's batting lineup and take a 1-0 lead in the series when play resumes on the final and final day of ongoing first Test.
Rahul asserted that India will give themselves the "best chance" to wrap up the match in their favour on Tuesday.
The Headingley Test was interestingly poised on Monday with India setting the hosts a tricky 371-run target for victory, while Ben Stokes' side began the chase expertly on day four with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett erasing 21 runs from the total.
"Blockbuster finish waiting tomorrow. There's definitely going to be a result. That's what England have said openly and it gives us the opportunity to pick up 10 wickets," said Rahul, who along with Rishabh Pant, played a pivotal role in propping up India before they were all out for 364.
Rahul scored 137 while Pant smashed 118 as the duo stitched together a 195-run stand for the fourth wicket to bail India out after they had lost skipper Shubman Gill early in the morning session.
"Today was a tricky wicket. Tomorrow it might break even more. We'll give ourselves the best chance to pick up the 10 wickets," added Rahul during the post-stumps press conference.
He, however, conceded that a score of around 400 would have placed India in a much stronger position.
"At tea, there was a little bit of discussion on how much we need, or whether to give them (England) a few overs to bat and pick up a few wickets. Ideally we would have wanted about 40 runs more," said Rahul.
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India lost three lower-order batters for nought, while Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur too could only manage a handful of runs as the visitors slumped from 333/5 to 364 all out.
Rahul added that he was in awe of Pant's batting and was just admiring his audacious strokeplay standing at the other end.
"You just stand there and admire and sometimes scratch your head about the shots that he plays. He has a unique style of play. He enjoys his game. He has a style that none of us will understand in this room. Just let him be Rishabh Pant," said Rahul of Pant, who, despite playing conservatively, managed 118 off just 140 balls.