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New Delhi: KL Rahul was one of the pivotal standouts who stood up on the last day of the first India-England Test match in Leeds. As England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley threatened to swing the pendulum Rahul was spotted making adjustments to the field even when nominated captain Shubman Gill was present along with vice-captain and power-hitter Rishabh Pant. Being the most mature player in the team after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired Rahul seemingly assumed the tactical and emotional leadership of the team frequently leading the pack with pep talks at some key stages. If you see the field now you will find out who is doing captaincy its KL Rahul. - Naser Hussain pic.twitter.com/p7lIHV91Th — DIGITAL SPORTS (@gyanudatt8) June 24 2025 ಮಗ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗ್ ಹೋಗ್ತಿದೆ ಮಗ #SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @KLRahul @prasidh43 pic.twitter.com/fNbb5rl39J — Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 24 2025 Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur triggered a comeback by bowling successive wickets for India on Day 5 to create a tense final four hours of play at Headingley. With England requiring another 102 runs to win and India requiring another six wickets to win in a dramatic fashion the game was in a balance. England after 269/4 scored 14 runs in 31 balls by Joe Root and captain Ben Stokes was not out on 13 runs in 17 balls as the second session struck the end. Jasprit Bumrah was not as fierce as usual Mohammed Siraj did not present any consistent threats and Prasidh Krishna could not find his rhythm. But when all had appeared to go against them India mounted a late rally thanks to some brilliant overs by Prasidh and Shardul that gave some optimism of a comeback. Crawley predominantly calm and unruffled edged a one to bring up his richly-deserved half-century. It was a remarkable scene where both the openers had scored 50-plus in fourth innings of a Test at Headingley. The duo then created a record by sharing an unbeaten 156-run opening stand which is the greatest opening partnership in England in the fourth innings of a domestic Test match. This one surpassed the earlier record of 154 between Geoffrey Boycott and Mike Brearley against Australia at Nottingham in 1977.