India’s Gritty First Innings Ends at 358:
On Day 2 of the fourth Test match between India and England at Old Trafford, Manchester, the Indian team was bowled out for 358 runs in their first innings. The highlight of the day came from wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who bravely returned to the crease with a fractured toe and scored a fighting 54 runs. His courageous innings was filled with intent and aggression, becoming his 19th Test fifty and earning a standing ovation from the crowd. Pant’s late resistance added vital runs to the Indian total.
Ben Stokes Shines with the Ball:
England skipper Ben Stokes led from the front with a brilliant bowling display, grabbing a superb five-wicket haul (5/72)—his first in Test cricket since 2017. He dismantled India’s lower and middle order with sharp seam movement and clever variations. Jofra Archer also played a crucial role by picking up 3 wickets, including that of the injured Pant and tailender Jasprit Bumrah. England’s bowlers kept pressure on India throughout the innings despite a few useful partnerships by Indian batsmen.
England’s Flying Start in Response:
In response, England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley got off to a thunderous start, scoring 77 runs without loss by the tea break. Both batsmen looked confident and fluent, especially Duckett, who brought up a brisk half-century. Indian bowlers, including debutant Anshul Kamboj, struggled with their line and length, often bowling too full or too straight, allowing England’s openers to score freely. England’s positive approach helped them erase the early pressure and take momentum in their favor.
India’s Bowling Struggles Continue:
Despite the solid total on board, India looked flat in the field. The bowlers failed to extract much from the pitch, and their discipline was lacking. There were no breakthroughs as England dominated with the bat. The absence of any early wickets was a concern for the Indian side, and the inexperience of debutant Kamboj showed under pressure. If India doesn’t tighten their bowling in the final session, England could take a commanding lead on Day 3.
Match Situation and What’s Ahead:
At tea on Day 2, the match is delicately poised but tilting in England’s favor. With all 10 wickets in hand and just 281 runs behind, England will look to build a massive first-innings lead. India, on the other hand, must find breakthroughs early in the final session to regain control. Rishabh Pant’s injury might affect the team further as he is unable to keep wickets. The next few sessions could define the course of this crucial Test match in the ongoing series.
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⚔️ Series Background & Importance of 4th Test
The five-match Test series between India and England has been tightly contested, with both sides trading blows. Coming into the fourth Test, the series stood at 1-1, making this match crucial for gaining the upper hand. The venue, Old Trafford in Manchester, is historically known to assist both seamers and spinners, and the Day 2 pitch behaved accordingly. For India, the major talking point was the return of Rishabh Pant to Test cricket after injury, and for England, the form of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer was under the scanner.
🧠 Tactical Decisions & Key Moments
India’s decision to bat first paid off initially with a solid platform set by the top order. However, the middle order wobbled against the moving ball, and it was once again Pant’s resilience that saved the innings from collapse. Despite being visibly in pain, he stepped onto the field and hit a gutsy fifty. He took on Archer with aggression, including one memorable six over mid-wicket. From England’s side, Ben Stokes rotated his bowlers well and used himself as the partnership breaker, delivering exactly when needed.
💥 Bowling Impact – Stokes & Archer Deliver
Stokes’ five-wicket haul was a much-needed personal milestone as well as a tactical win for the team. He bowled long spells, used the short ball effectively, and showed swing mastery with the older ball. Archer, too, looked sharp, consistently hitting 140+ kmph speeds and troubling the lower order. The English bowling attack looked disciplined and energetic, with every bowler contributing in the field. They maintained pressure even when the Indian tail wagged, ensuring no major last-wicket stand hurt them.
🚀 England’s Aggression with the Bat
When England came in to bat, they showcased ‘Bazball’ energy—an aggressive, no-fear approach championed by coach Brendon McCullum. Duckett and Crawley wasted no time, dispatching loose deliveries to the boundary. Duckett, in particular, was fluent through the off-side, and Crawley supported him well with calm strokeplay. Their unbeaten 77-run partnership sent a strong message that England wasn’t playing for a draw—they were playing for a win. It was clear that they wanted to take the game away from India early.
🇮🇳 India’s Concerns – Bowling & Pant’s Injury
India’s bowling lacked discipline. Debutant Anshul Kamboj, while promising in pace, bowled too many deliveries on the pads. Even experienced bowlers like Bumrah and Siraj couldn’t maintain consistent pressure. Adding to India’s woes is Pant’s injury—he may not keep wickets for the remainder of the match. This disrupts team balance and puts extra pressure on stand-in keeper KL Rahul. If India doesn’t make early inroads in the next session, England may build a strong lead, turning the match into a one-sided contest.
🧮 Match Summary at Tea – Day 2
- India First Innings: 358 all out
- Top Scorer: Rishabh Pant – 54 (injured)
- Best Bowling: Ben Stokes – 5/72, Jofra Archer – 3 wickets
- England 1st Innings: 77/0 (at Tea)
- Openers at Crease: Ben Duckett (50*), Zak Crawley (23*)
- Deficit: England trails by 281 runs with all wickets in hand
🔭 Looking Ahead – What’s Next?
Day 3 will be vital. If England continue to bat positively and avoid losing quick wickets, they could potentially take a first-innings lead. India needs to reassess their bowling plans, perhaps use spin early, and tighten their fielding. The pitch is still good for batting, so the bowlers must rely on reverse swing, bounce, and patience. This match could shape the outcome of the entire series—both teams know what’s at stake.