Sai Sudharsan made the most of his comeback with a composed 61, but concerns loomed over Rishabh Pant, who suffered yet another injury, as India reached 264 for 4 at stumps on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England in Manchester.
India ended the day with Ravindra Jadeja (19)* and Shardul Thakur (19)* unbeaten at the crease under fading light.
Put in to bat under overcast skies, Indian openers KL Rahul (46 off 98) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 off 107) gave the visitors their best start of the series, putting together a 94-run stand. After their departure, it was Sudharsan who stood tall, displaying grit and composure on a tricky surface.
Batting alongside him, Rishabh Pant (37 off 48 retired hurt) had just started to find rhythm before misjudging a reverse-sweep attempt against Chris Woakes. The full delivery struck his right foot, leaving him in visible pain. Pant had to be wheeled off the field on a golf cart, and there were signs of bleeding and swelling, raising concerns in the Indian camp. He had just returned from a finger injury sustained at Lord’s and his latest setback left fans and teammates anxious.
Earlier, Sudharsan had a bit of luck on his side—dropped on 20 down the leg side by keeper Jamie Smith off Ben Stokes. He made the most of the reprieve with confident strokes, including pull shots off Jofra Archer and a back-foot punch against Stokes. However, his stay ended when he pulled a short ball straight to Brydon Carse at fine leg.
Pant, until his injury, was in vintage form—sweeping Archer and launching Carse over long-on for six. His 72-run stand with Sudharsan steadied the innings after a brief wobble.
England, wicketless in the morning session, bounced back after lunch. Woakes got the breakthrough, inducing an edge from Rahul that was caught at third slip. Liam Dawson, returning to Test cricket after eight years, struck in his very first over, removing a well-set Jaiswal with a delivery that held its line. Shubman Gill also fell cheaply, caught behind off Stokes, leaving India at 149 for 3 at tea.
Despite the overcast conditions, the slow pitch allowed Indian batters to handle England’s pace threat. Archer bowled with venom, but the ball didn’t zip around as much as expected.
With the series tilted 2-1 in England’s favour, this Test remains crucial for India. The extent of Pant’s injury could prove decisive in shaping the remainder of the match—and potentially the series.
