IND vs ENG 1st Test: Team India need solid second-innings total as Headingley has seen big chases before

Team India will be eyeing to post a target of at least more than 300 for England as they get ready to start Day 4 of the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, on Monday. India currently have a lead of 96 runs at a loss of two wickets.

Yashasvi Jasiwal (4) and Sai Sudharsan (30) were the two Indian wickets to fall so far in their second innings after they earned a slender 6-run lead. KL Rahul (47*) and Shubman Gill (6*) were still at the crease when Stumps were called on Day 3.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who is in England, feels India need to post a target of at least 300, otherwise it will not be a tough challenge for England.

“Anything under 300, they (England) will back themselves to get it. Anything over 300, they will have to bat really well to get there. The good thing is that this Headingley pitch is really good, it has remained the same throughout and there’s not much change so far across three days,” Karthik told Sky Sports.

And that’s the big reason why India must try to touch 350 or more, because Headingley has a history of offering good batting pitches even during the fourth innings.

The highest target successfully chased at Headingley is 400, achieved by Australia in 1948. But one that we all remember is the 2019 classic when Ben Stokes smashed 135 not out and forged a 76-run partnership with Jack Leach (1 not out) to help England chase down 359.

The West Indies also chased down 322 at the venue against England in 2017.

Highest targets successfully chased down at Headingley