ENG vs IND 2025, 4th Test Day 2 Review: England outclass Rishabh Pant's grit to be a foot ahead of India

Ben Stokes & Co. firmly held control on Day 2 of the fourth Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester. After wrapping up India’s innings for 358, the English top order produced a dominant response, ending the day at 225/2, trailing by just 133 runs with vice-captain Ollie Pope and Joe Root in the middle to resume the proceedings on the third day.

India resumed their first innings in the morning with Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. However, the momentum quickly shifted in England’s favour as Jofra Archer struck early, dismissing Jadeja and claiming his sixth wicket of the series, all of which have been left-handers.

Thakur was joined by Washington Sundar, and despite challenging seam movement from the English pacers during the first hour, the pair managed to stitch together a 48-run partnership. Ben Stokes eventually broke the stand, continuing his remarkable form with the ball. India’s lower-order resilience remained consistent, averaging 42 runs per partnership since the first Test.

Sachin in awe of Rishabh Pant's efforts with fractured toe

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Sachin in awe of Rishabh Pant's efforts with fractured toe

A moment of grit came when Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant, nursing a fractured right foot, walked out to bat to a standing ovation. Rain forced an early lunch with India at 321/6. In the second session, Sundar fell to a hook shot off Stokes, who went on to claim his 15th wicket of the series, matching his career-best haul from the 2013 Ashes. He also became only the fourth player in Test history to register 10 centuries and five fifers, with debutant Anshul Kamboj being his fifth wicket in the innings.

Pant, despite his injury, fought valiantly to reach a half-century, equalling the record for most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket and setting the record for the most runs by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test series in England. He eventually fell for 54 to Archer, and the visitors were bundled out for a decent total of 358 after batting for 114.1 overs.

In reply, England’s openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett came out with positive intent and dominated the Indian bowlers. India’s seamers frequently bowled onto Duckett’s pads, allowing him to score freely on the leg side. By tea, The Three Lions were cruising at 77 without loss.

Both openers brought up their fifties with aggressive stroke play. England racked up 24 boundaries in just 32 overs. The duo added a 166-run opening stand before Jadeja provided India with their first breakthrough, dismissing Crawley. Duckett, nearing his century, was dismissed by debutant Anshul Kamboj for 94. The game will resume from England being 225/2, with Pope (20*) and Root (11*) at the crease.