Rain threatens to disrupt the thrilling final day of the first Test match between India and England at Headingley, where England needs 350 runs more to win with all 10 wickets intact. The weather forecast indicates an 84 percent chance of rainfall on Tuesday, according to Accuweather, potentially impacting what promises to be a decisive day of cricket.England face a challenging target of 371 runs, attempting to achieve the highest successful chase in a 5-day Test match at this ground. The current record for the highest chase at Headingley stands at 404 runs, achieved in a 6-day Test match between Australia and England, led by Don Bradman’s team.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The Leeds weather report suggests a cold and windy day with wind speeds reaching up to 55 kmph. The conditions are expected to remain predominantly cloudy throughout the day, with intermittent sunshine making batting potentially challenging.
The rain is forecasted to begin before the start of play, with conditions expected to improve around 11 AM local time. However, another spell of rain is anticipated around 2 PM, which could affect the lunch session.The local weather department though predicts 60 percent chance of rain when play is scheduled to begin at 11am. That expectation persists until 2pm when it drops to 45 percent before picking up once again at 4pm. Things are expected to dry up thereafter but given the fickle nature of the British weather, it is tough to say.
Leeds woke up to a cloudy sky with temperature dropping and chances of rain ahead of Day 5 of first India vs England Test. (Image: Sahil Malhotra/TOI Sports)
The Headingley pitch has maintained its character over the first four days of play. The surface shows developing rough patches that could benefit spinners. The overhead conditions have significantly influenced the pitch behaviour, with Day 4 demonstrating considerable movement due to overcast conditions.India will rely on Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling prowess to make early inroads. Shubman Gill’s team must capitalise on their opportunities, unlike their performance in the first innings of this Test match.Both teams have expressed their intent to pursue a result, despite the weather challenges. The match situation mirrors England’s historic chase against Australia in 2019, where they successfully pursued 359 runs, featuring a memorable innings from Ben Stokes.
