New Delhi: Though the start for the Indian team was pitch perfect but England nullified their early advantage with big wickets on the opening day of the fourth Test match at Old Trafford, Manchester. What began as a confident first session for the Shubman Gill-led side ended on a concerning note with Rishabh Pant’s toe injury adding to their woes at day end.
When stumps were called on the first day of the must-win match for India, the visitors were at 264/4 with Ravindra Jadeja (19) and Shardul Thakur (19) holding the forte on the crease. After a confident morning session led by openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal who kept the hosts wicketless with a patient performance scoring 78 runs, England were quick to bounce back in the second session with as many as three big wickets.
Rahul-Jaiswal stich fruitful stand
The sensational opening stand of 94 runs between Rahul and Jaiswal was broken by Chris Woakes who sent the former back to the pavilion. Rahul scored useful 46 runs for India, once again giving the team a good and stable start. Jaiswal was quick to follow his partner’s footsteps as he departed on 58 with Liam Dawson getting rid of the dangerous southpaw.
Skipper Shubman Gill, who was expected to fire after a lean outing in the previous Test at Lord’s, failed to capitalise in the start provided by the openers as he was sent packing by English skipper Ben Stokes for just 12 runs. Sai Sudharsan, who proved to be the lone warrior, and Rishabh Pant then stood tall for the visiting side with a 72-run stand to bail out India from a precarious position but the crucial partnership ended with Pant’s injury.
On the delivery from Chris Woakes, Pant attempted a reverse sweep but faltered during the shot resulting in the ball hitting his right tow. Down and out with pain, the left-hander was taken off the field as India suffered the biggest blow of the day. Before getting retired hurt, Pant contributed 37 runs becoming the first visiting wicket-keeper to score 1000 Test runs in England.
Pant’s blow derailed India from the track as it was soon followed by Sudharsan’s dismissal who went back after scoring a well-made 61. Stokes accounted for another big dismissal after getting rid of the Indian skipper. With an unbeaten stand of 29 runs, India’s hopes would rely on the pair of Jadeja and Thakur when they start the play on the second day.