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 towards England in Manchester on Thursday (July 24, 2025).
Resuming the day at 264 for 4, India did properly to cross the 300-run mark in overcast circumstances that supplied 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 obtained the odd ball to soar 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 nevertheless it was in following over from Archer that England obtained 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 types of methods, Shardul (41 off 88 balls) seemed to assault and dispatched Woakes off the backfoot within the cowl area for a high quality boundary.
Minutes later, Shardul creamed a full ball from Stokes by way of the quilt a ball after getting a snorter from the England captain that just about 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 might barely full his singles however the truth that he was within the centre mentioned so much about his grit and character.
Lunch was taken barely forward of the scheduled time as gentle rain returned to Old Trafford in fading gentle.
