India's Fight at Old Trafford: High Hopes Meet Historic Hurdles
The 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford kicked off with drama, bold choices, and a possible turning point for both sides. Walking into the match down 2-1 in the series, India knew it was win or bust. But Old Trafford hasn’t exactly been a happy hunting ground—India has played here nine times before and notched up a grand total of zero wins. That’s the kind of number that makes the most seasoned players feel the pressure.
England’s captain Ben Stokes clearly decided to take a risk by choosing to bowl first—a move that bucks more than a century of cricket tradition at this ground. Nobody has ever won a Test here by bowling first after winning the toss. Stokes didn’t just gamble at the toss; he put his stamp on the game with the ball, snaring two wickets for 47 runs in his 14 overs and setting the tone for an intense day.
Pant's Injury and Sudharsan's Start: Key Moments on Day 1
The morning belonged to India. Openers weathered the early storm, refusing to give England an early boost. Sai Sudharsan turned heads with his fearless batting, hammering Jofra Archer for boundaries that had the crowd buzzing. Not to be outdone, Rishabh Pant brought his signature aggression, launching a clean six against Brydon Carse. India looked stable and confident as they reached 264-4 at stumps.
But just as things seemed under control, the game took a serious turn. Rishabh Pant, who seemed in fine touch with a brisk 37 from 48 balls, was forced to leave the pitch retired hurt. His attempt at a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes wasn’t just risky—it became costly. The ball glanced off the bat, a quick review confirmed the edge, caught him on the foot, and Pant needed a buggy to get off the field. His departure leaves a gaping question mark over India’s batting depth for the rest of the match.
England’s bowlers kept up the pressure, especially before tea. Liam Dawson, making a return to the Test side, made a statement by sending Yashasvi Jaiswal back, grabbing a crucial wicket. With three wickets tumbling in the second half of the day, India’s promising start looked a little shaky by stumps.
- IND vs ENG: India ended at 264-4, needing to build a big score on Day 2 to keep series hopes alive
- Ben Stokes broke the trend by bowling first and taking two wickets himself
- Sai Sudharsan's confident hitting stood out among the top order
- Pant’s injury casts uncertainty over India's lineup for the rest of the Test
With history and the scoreboard stacked against them, India isn’t just fighting England—they’re fighting the ghosts of Old Trafford. Every session on Day 2 will have extra weight, as one more slip could end their hopes of staying alive in the series.
