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Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy: Centuries From Kl Rahul And Rishabh Pant Power India’s Lead Past 300

Outstanding centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant put India firmly in control of the opening Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test. Their dominant 195-run partnership lifted India’s lead to 304 runs at tea on Day 4.

India reached 298/4 in 75 overs, scoring 145 runs in the second session alone. Both batters took full advantage of the old ball and England’s lack of ideas.

Pant-Rahul partnership dominates England

Rahul remained unbeaten on 120, his ninth Test hundred, built with 15 crisp boundaries. Pant, in sublime touch, blasted 118—his eighth century in the format—with 15 fours and three sixes.

This was the duo’s second century stand together, their previous one coming at The Oval in 2018. Pant broke several records, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score two centuries in a Test abroad, and only the second globally after Andy Flower.

Instead of his iconic handspring, Pant celebrated with the Dele Alli hand gesture, entertaining the Headingley crowd. Later, Sunil Gavaskar jokingly asked for the handspring, to which Pant replied with a ‘next time’ gesture.

The post-tea session began with Pant smashing Josh Tongue for three quick boundaries. Rahul kept rotating strike, punishing bad balls. Pant hammered Shoaib Bashir and later Brydon Carse, pulling with authority.

Rahul brought up his century in 202 balls, raising his bat and helmet to a roaring crowd. Pant slowed down briefly but eventually reached his ton with a cut through deep point.

After a hug with Rahul and prayer to the Almighty, Pant resumed attacking. He slammed Joe Root for a four, six, and another four before miscuing a slog-sweep off Bashir, caught at long-on.

Rahul and Karun Nair added a boundary each to push the lead past 300 just before tea.