Overview:
KL Rahul was not in favour of refraining Rishabh Pant from going hard against the English bowlers. He allowed him to play his natural game.
LEEDS, England (AP) — Monday started very encouragingly for England. On the seventh ball, Brydon Carse got India captain Shubman Gill to chop on and the visitors were at a precarious 92-3.
The pitch was lively, the bounce erratic and the ball was nipping around. KL Rahul, already on 47, and Rishabh Pant battened down in their own distinctive ways.
Rahul shouldered responsibility as India’s senior batter while Pant was a danger to England and himself. He swiped at a few deliveries without knowing where the ball went. They shared only 63 runs in 24 overs to lunch, but getting through the morning session unscathed and grinding down England was like a win for them.
“It’s hard for us to understand his mindset, you’ve got to let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant,” Rahul said. “There’s obviously a method to his madness, he’s averaging 45 in test cricket, there’s a lot of thinking behind the outrageous shots he plays.”
After lunch their attitude switched and the batters went on the attack. The pair struck only six boundaries in the morning but hit six in the first half-hour after lunch.
Another trademark Rahul cover drive earned him two runs for his century from 202 balls. His ninth test hundred was his eighth away from home. The first Asian opener to score three in England was all business and limited his joy to waving his bat and kissing the crest on his helmet.
Rahul manged 137 runs, while Rishabh Pant posted 118. Their stand of 195 runs took India to 364 in the second innings. England, who are chasing 371, were 21/0 at stumps on Day 4.
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