The India vs England 4th Test Day 1 kicked off with a buzz of excitement at Old Trafford in Manchester. Just as everyone anticipated, the Indian team won the toss and opted to bat first. While the pitch seemed promising, the overcast skies added a bit of a twist to the day. Nevertheless, India got off to a strong start and took charge during the morning session.
India’s 1st Innings- 4th Test Day 1
| Batter | Score | Balls | 4s/6s |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 58 | 107 | 11 |
| KL Rahul | 46 | 98 | 4 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 61 | 151 | 7 |
| Shubman Gill (c) | 12 | 23 | 1 |
| Rishabh Pant (ret) | 37 | 48 | 3 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 19 | 37 | 3 |
| Shardul Thakur | 19 | 36 | 2 |
England’s Bowling Performers
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Chris Woakes | 20 | 50 | 1 | 2.5 |
| James Anderson | 18 | 45 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Ben Stokes | 14 | 47 | 2 | 3.36 |
| Liam Dawson | 22 | 59 | 1 | 2.68 |
| Joe Root | 6 | 17 | 0 | 2.83 |
To kick things off, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul set a strong tone for their team right from the start. Both batters looked comfortable at the crease. While Jaiswal played some attacking strokes, Rahul focused on playing carefully and rotating the strike. Together, they added 78 runs before lunch without losing a wicket.
Notably, Jaiswal scored 58 runs off 107 balls, hitting 10 fours and 1 six. At the other end, Rahul made 46 runs from 98 balls. Therefore, India went into the lunch break in a strong position. However, things took a turn soon after.
After the break, England returned with renewed energy. First, Chris Woakes took out KL Rahul with an outstanding delivery. Then, Liam Dawson, playing a Test match after 8 years, dismissed Jaiswal. Not long after, Captain Ben Stokes managed to trap Shubman Gill LBW for a mere 12 runs. As a result, India lost three quick wickets and their strong start began to fade. From a comfortable 131/0, they suddenly slipped to 149/3. Yet, India found a new hero in their young batter.
Even though the top order collapsed, Sai Sudharsan stayed calm. He built a solid partnership and batted with great maturity. Importantly, he reached his first-ever Test fifty, scoring 61 runs off 151 balls. His patience and smart shot selection helped India recover during a tricky period. Moreover, Sudharsan played the role of a steady anchor while others struggled. He showed that he has the potential to become a reliable Test batter in the future.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant entered the field and played a quick and exciting innings. Unfortunately, disaster struck when a reverse sweep from him hit his right foot. He was in visible pain and had to leave the field after scoring 37 runs. The injury looked serious, and he was taken off the ground in a buggy. This was a big setback for India. Pant’s injury not only ended his innings but also raised concerns for the rest of the series.
Thankfully, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur managed the pressure beautifully during the final session. They did not quit till the end of the day, each scoring 19 runs. Their steady stand helped India reach 264/4 at the close of play. Additionally, bad light forced early closure, and 16 overs were lost. As we look to the future, England will be eager to take advantage of the second new ball right at the start of Day 2. However, India still has batting depth, and the match remains finely balanced.
To sum up, the India vs England 4th Test Day 1 was full of action, momentum shifts, and unexpected moments. While India started strong, England pulled things back in the middle. Sai Sudharsan’s calm fifty and Pant’s injury were key highlights. In the end, Jadeja and Thakur’s unbeaten stand ensured that India remained in the game. With rain and the second new ball coming into play, Day 2 could bring even more twists.
