Grit, Guts, and Drama: India Hold Firm on Day 1 Despite Pant Blow
What a dramatic opening day we've witnessed in the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford! If you missed the action, let me walk you through it, because this day had everything – grit, flair, resilience, and even heartbreak.
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India ended Day 1 at 264 for 4, a position that might sound steady, but trust me, the day was anything but straightforward. The moment that turned heads – and turned the tide – was when Rishabh Pant, batting in typical unpredictable fashion, attempted a reverse sweep against a Chris Woakes yorker. Yep, a yorker . The shot misfired, the ball slammed into his foot, and what followed was troubling. Pant had to retire hurt on 37, clearly in a lot of pain, and it didn’t look good. His foot swelled up alarmingly, and the word is, it could be a metatarsal injury. A real blow for India and for fans – he’s been such a vibrant presence all series.
Before that, India had built their innings patiently. After losing Rahul early to Woakes for 46, Jaiswal fell to Dawson for 58, and Gill never quite got going, falling LBW to Stokes for just 12. But it was Sai Sudharsan who stood tall – calm, composed, and technically solid. Playing only his second Test, he notched up a classy fifty, scoring 61 and holding the innings together at a crucial juncture. His poise gave India much-needed stability before he eventually fell, pulling a short ball from Stokes straight to the deep fielder. Classic Stokes – out of nowhere, grabbing momentum.
England’s bowlers worked hard all day. Woakes and Stokes were both sharp, and the returning Liam Dawson made an instant impact, removing the dangerous Jaiswal with only his seventh delivery. Dawson even admitted he thought his Test days were behind him, so to see him back and striking was a great story in itself.
The end of the day was dictated by bad light – India probably didn’t mind that at all. Jadeja and Thakur looked steady at the crease, and England’s hopes for a late breakthrough were dashed. With a second new ball waiting in the wings and better weather expected tomorrow, Day 2 could be decisive.
So, as things stand, it's evenly poised. India have runs on the board, but Pant’s injury could haunt them. England have bowled with discipline but lacked that killer instinct in the final session. Tomorrow? It’s all set up for a classic Old Trafford battle.
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