England pacer Josh Tongue made it clear that his side isn’t playing for a draw as the first Test against India heads into a tense fifth day. With England finishing Day 4 at 21 without loss, still needing 350 runs for victory, Tongue said the message in the dressing room is simple: they’re going all out to win.
“There’s been no talk of a draw. The mindset is very straightforward – go for the win,” Tongue said after play. “We know India will bowl well at times, so it’s about handling those tough phases, soaking up the pressure, and then putting it back on them. With the kind of batting depth we have, I don’t see why we can’t chase this down.”
He added that confidence is running high in the England camp. “We’ve got a strong batting line-up, and we’re backing ourselves to play positive cricket. Chasing 371 is a big ask, but we believe it’s within reach. The first 30 to 40 minutes in the morning will be key, but if we get through that, we’re aiming to cross the finish line,” he added.
Pant Creates History with Twin Centuries at Headingley
While England eye a dramatic chase, India’s Rishabh Pant gave fans a moment to remember by becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. On Day 4 at Headingley, Pant followed up his first-innings 134 with a superb second-innings 118, reaching his second hundred of the match in just 130 deliveries.
His attacking knock helped India stretch their lead and put the visitors in a commanding position. With this rare achievement, Pant joins an exclusive club of Indian greats – Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli among them who have scored hundreds in both innings of a Test.
Pant also becomes just the second wicketkeeper in Test cricket history to do so, after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower accomplished the feat back in 2001.
Pant’s performance under pressure has added another golden chapter to his growing legacy and put India in a strong position heading into the final day of what has already been a thrilling Test match.
Also Read: ENG Vs IND: Sanjay Manjrekar Backs Team India’s Next Gen Batters Post Virat Kohli’s Retirement
