Rishabh Pant remarkably got here out to bat with a fractured foot whereas Shardul Thakur confirmed loads of resolve to take India to 321 for six at lunch on day two of the fourth Test in opposition to England in Manchester on Thursday (July 24, 2025).
Resuming the day at 264 for 4, India did effectively to cross the 300-run mark in overcast circumstances that provided loads of seam and swing to the England pacers particularly Jofra Archer, who was successfully unplayable for majority of his opening spell.
England skipper Ben Stokes acquired the odd ball to leap from size, creating extra challenges for the Indian batters.
Considering the pitch behaviour, India can be content material with a primary innings rating of 350.
Chris Woakes took the brand new ball instantly but it surely was in following over from Archer that England acquired the early breakthrough.
The in-form Ravindra Jadeja (20 off 40) couldn’t do a lot off an Archer magnificence that formed away after touchdown on the leg-stump to take the surface edge with Harry Brook holding on to a low catch at second slip.
With the ball doing all kinds of tips, Shardul (41 off 88 balls) appeared to assault and dispatched Woakes off the backfoot within the cowl area for a positive boundary.
Minutes later, Shardul creamed a full ball from Stokes via the quilt a ball after getting a snorter from the England captain that nearly kissed his glove.
Stokes managed to do away with the Indian bowling all-rounder ultimately by luring him right into a drive and getting him caught at gully by Ben Duckett, who pouched the flying ball.
Much to the shock of everybody current at the bottom, Pant limped out to bat after Shardul’s dismissal, and a standing ovation adopted.
Despite a damaged proper foot, Pant made a courageous name to face the England pacers. He may barely full his singles however the truth that he was within the centre mentioned quite a bit about his grit and character.
Lunch was taken barely forward of the scheduled time as mild rain returned to Old Trafford in fading mild.
