KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant hammered centuries in India's second innings.
Following England pacer Josh Tongue's declaration that the hosts were aiming for a result rather than a draw in pursuit of a challenging 371-run total, India opener KL Rahul stated his team is prepared to take advantage of the situation and go for the kill on Day 5 of the first Test at Headingley.
Rahul, who hit a stylish 137 in India's second innings, praised Tongue's audacity and looked forward to an aggressive final day, saying it provided India a genuine chance to take the ten wickets required to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
By the end of Day 4, England was 21 for nil, with Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley comfortably erasing the early deficit.
Rahul maintained his optimism, stating that his side would support themselves to take advantage of the increasingly difficult pitch.
"Blockbuster finish, waiting tomorrow. There's definitely going to be a result. That's what England has said openly, and it gives us the opportunity to pick up 10 wickets. Today was a tricky wicket. Tomorrow it might break even more. We'll give ourselves the best chance to pick up the 10 wickets," KL Rahul stated in the post-day press conference.
India set a competitive target thanks in large part to Rahul's 195-run partnership with Rishabh Pant (118), particularly following the early dismissal of captain Shubman Gill. However, India was bowled out for 364 as the lower order collapsed, with the final five wickets falling for just 31 runs.
"Had we gotten 40 more runs, it would have given us more cushion. At tea, we had a little chat about whether to give them a few overs (on Day 4) to pick up a couple of wickets. Ideally, a 400-run target would have been great,” Rahul stated.
Nevertheless, given the surface's unpredictability, Rahul believed India had enough on the board.
Rahul's century was a masterclass in restraint and patience, but Pant's bold strokeplay once again stole the show. Shared the crease with the colorful wicketkeeper, the opening batter compared it to "standing and admiring a genius."
"You just stand there and admire, and sometimes scratch your head about the shots that he plays. He enjoys his game and has a style that none of us in this room will understand. Just let him be Rishabh Pant," Rahul said, grinning.
With both teams committed to pushing for a result, Day 5 at Headingley is primed for a thrilling finish.
(ANI inputs)