New Delhi: Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar led India’s recovery after an early blow, but Rishabh Pant walking out to bat after suffering a serious injury on Day 1 was the biggest highlight of an eventful opening session on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester.
A few hours after media reports claimed Pant had been ruled out of the England series after suffering a fractured toe, the Board of Control of Cricket (BCCI) in India shared a contradictory update on their official X handle, stating that the star player will come out to bat as per the team’s requirement.
And a few minutes after the official update, out came the Delhi dasher, walking to the centre of the pitch with a fractured foot, grimacing in pain, after Ben Stokes broke a 48-run stand for the sixth wicket between Thakur and Sundar by dismissing the former for a well compiled 41-run knock.
Pant managed to add 2 runs to his overnight score of 37 when he suffered a toe injury while trying to reverse sweep Chris Woakes. Shortly after the injury, pictures and videos of Pant’s badly swollen ankle went viral on social media, along with worrying predictions of the injury.
The left-handed batter, who will not keep wickets, spent close to 30 minutes on the crease on Day 2 as India reached 321 for 6 in 105 overs at Lunch, which was taken 10 minutes early due to rain.
Thakur, Sundar display grit and determination
Sundar showed great discipline and determination to stave off the danger of the second new ball. The all-rounder played with great composure, coming out to bat in a difficult situation following Ravindra Jadeja’s wicket in the first over of the day. He is unbeaten on 20 (72 balls)
He and Thakur steadied the ship for the visitors with a crucial partnership as India crossed the 300-run mark on an up-and-down pitch, which offered a lot to the pacers in the morning session.
Thakur also played well for his 41-run knock but was dismissed by Stokes at a crucial juncture.
India added 57 runs to their overnight score of 264 and lost two wickets in the 22 overs bowled in an overcast morning session.