Rain came to India's rescue on Day 5 of the first Test between India and England at Headingley, as the hosts were well on course for a record chase of 371. After lunch, England’s opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley continued to pile on the runs, but just as the momentum seemed firmly with the home side, rain arrived — bringing much-needed relief to the Indians and forcing the umpires to temporarily halt play.
India Vs England, 1st Test: Rain Forces Revised Timings; BCCI Confirms Extended Play Window
India Vs England, 1st Test: The drizzle had started lightly during the interval but intensified enough for the covers to be brought back on. However, after a 20-minute delay, play resumed, and India wasted no time in striking back.
The drizzle had started lightly during the interval but intensified enough for the covers to be brought back on. However, after a 20-minute delay, play resumed, and India wasted no time in striking back.
Prasidh Krishna, who had been expensive earlier, broke the 181-run opening stand by dismissing Crawley for 65. The breakthrough injected new life into the contest and shifted the balance of the match.
In the wake of the rain delay, the BCCI announced revised session timings via social media, confirming that no overs were lost and that play would be extended by 20 minutes. According to the new schedule, tea would be taken at 4:30 PM local time (9:00 PM IST), and the final session would now run until 6:20 PM local time (10:50 PM IST).
Here are the updated session timings for Day 5:
Tea Break: 4:30 PM BST (9:00 PM IST)
Third Session: 4:50 PM – 6:20 PM BST (9:20 PM – 10:50 PM IST)
The BCCI also stated that, should further rain occur before 10 PM IST, the play could be extended further — as it was on Day 2, when stumps were taken at 11:43 PM IST.
Originally, the final day of the first Test between India and England at Headingley was scheduled with three sessions: the first running from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM UK time (3:30 PM to 5:30 PM IST), followed by a 40-minute lunch break until 1:40 PM (6:10 PM IST).
The second session was set from 1:40 PM to 3:40 PM (6:10 PM to 8:10 PM IST), after which a short tea break was scheduled until 4:00 PM (8:30 PM IST). The third and final session was planned from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM local time (8:30 PM to 10:30 PM IST), allowing for a full day of play barring weather interruptions.
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