Runs galore in Leeds as India set England tasty target for final day

India were dismissed for 371 in the dying embers of day four in run-soaked Leeds. England survived the opening onslaught and closed the day 21 for no loss, leaving them 350 to win the first Test of the five-match series.

Starting the day 90/2, imperious Rahul and the entertaining Pant were at the helm. That said, Rahul was given a life on 55. The batter was dropped by Harry Brook at gully, somewhat ironically as Brook had three chances in his innings of 99.

At the other end, Pant pushed his luck. He charged the England quicks, mowed across the line and survived an LBW shout while attempting one of his trademark fall-away ramp shots.

Chaos aside, the pair put on 195 runs together before Pant holed out at long-on for a typical swashbuckling 118 off just 140. The measured Rahul then dragged one onto his stumps, handing Brydon Carse his third and final scalp of the day.

Things fell apart quickly from there.  

Karun Nair and Ravindra Jadeja managed to hang around to pick up 20 and 25 respectively, but Josh Tongue chewed through India's lower order, whose final five wickets fell for just 33 runs.

England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett negotiated what could have been an awkward six overs with aplomb. Crawley cut the tension with back-to-back flashy fours in the fourth over, eventually leaving them 350 to chase on the final day.

While England believe in the power of Baz Ball, the undefeated weather Gods very well may have the final say in this seesaw affair. 

READ MORE: Windies claim T20I series-levelling win over Proteas Women