The India vs England 4th Test Day 2 brought intense action, thrilling drama, and constant momentum shifts. As the match continued at Old Trafford, Manchester, both teams gave their all. However, England ended the day in a strong position, especially after India’s lower-order put up a brief but brave fight in the morning.
India started the day at 264/4. From the outset, Rishabh Pant demonstrated immense courage while battling an injury. Although he limped between the wickets, he fought hard and scored a vital 54 runs. He struck five boundaries and played his shots with confidence. Moreover, he built small but useful partnerships with the tailenders and helped push India’s total to 358.
In the meantime, Ben Stokes charged forward, leading England’s attack with impressive determination. He picked up 5 wickets for just 72 runs. His timely strikes in the morning session made sure India couldn’t stretch their innings further. As a result, England restricted India to a modest first-innings total.
In reply, England came out with a clear plan to attack. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett immediately took control of the game. They played confidently, rotated the strike well, and punished any loose deliveries. As a result, their partnership quickly crossed 150 runs.
Duckett scored an aggressive 94, while Crawley added a solid 84. India tried different bowling combinations, but none of them worked initially. Eventually, Ravichandran Ashwin broke the stand by dismissing Duckett. Shortly after, Kuldeep Yadav removed Crawley. Nevertheless, by that time, England had already taken command of the match.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar bowled with energy, but they failed to get any rewards. The pitch offered little help; it had flattened out, and the ball didn’t swing much. India missed Mohammed Siraj’s form and pace.
Although Ashwin and Kuldeep managed to pick up a wicket each, England finished the day at 225/2. Now, they trail by just 133 runs with eight wickets still in hand, putting them in a very comfortable position heading into Day 3.
India 1st Innings – 358 all out
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 58 | 107 | 10 | 1 |
| KL Rahul | 46 | 98 | 4 | 0 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 61 | 151 | 7 | 0 |
| Shubman Gill | 12 | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| Rishabh Pant | 54 | 75 | 3 | 2 |
| Shardul Thakur | 41 | 88 | 5 | 0 |
| Washington Sundar | 27 | 90 | 2 | 0 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 20 | 40 | 3 | 0 |
| Anshul Kamboj | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 358 | 114.1 overs |
Bowling Figures:
- Jofra Archer – 3/73
- Ben Stokes -5/72
England – 1st Innings (225/2 at stumps; 46 overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Ben Duckett | 94 | 100 | 13 | 0 |
| Zak Crawley | 84 | 113 | 13 | 1 |
| Ollie Pope* | 20 | 42 | 3 | 0 |
| Joe Root* | 11 | 27 | 2 | 0 |
| Extras | 16 | – | – | – |
| Total | 225/2 | 46.0 overs | – | – |
Bowling Figures:
- Anshul Kamboj – 1/48
- Ravindra Jadeja- 1/37
Looking ahead, England will aim to take the lead and tighten their grip on the match. With Joe Root and Ollie Pope at the crease, they look well-placed to build a big total. On the flip side, India really needs to make its move bright and early in the morning. The team will heavily rely on Bumrah’s pace and Ashwin’s spin to make a comeback.
In conclusion, India vs England 4th Test Day 2 went England’s way. With Stokes taking five wickets and a stunning 166-run opening partnership, they took charge of the day. But don’t count the match out just yet; Day 3 is set to bring even more excitement. Keep an eye out for the latest updates and highlights.
