A gritty fifty by B Sai Sudharsan and solid contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul helped India reach 264/4 in 83 overs before bad light brought a premature end to the opening day of the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester. Sudharsan top-scored with a composed 61, marking his maiden half-century in Test cricket.
Picked in the XI in Karun Nair's place, Sudharsan braved a tumultuous beginning—when he was dropped on 20—and then anchored India's innings under testing, overcast conditions. His 151-ball performance, with seven boundaries, offered invaluable solidity following three losses of wickets after lunch.
Earlier, following the toss victory for the fourth time in the series, England skipper Ben Stokes asked India to bat. Jaiswal and Rahul repaid the decision to open by sharing a solid 94-run stand. Though Jaiswal was scratchy early on, surviving some close calls against Chris Woakes, he found a rhythm to hit a patient 58. Rahul, on his part, played smooth cricket for his 46, taking the series aggregate past the 400-run mark.
Jaiswal's innings was a combination of fortune and aggression as he hit boundaries off Brydon Carse and a six against Stokes. Rahul also had his share of success at the hands of England seamers, especially Carse and Woakes. India finished the morning session without damage, having built a good foundation.
But the post-lunch session witnessed England fight back. Woakes finally made a breakthrough, getting rid of Rahul off a delivery that late seamed away at him, prompting an edge to third slip. Jaiswal also fell shortly afterward, being caught by Liam Dawson, playing his first Test match in eight years, in the slips for 58.
Sudharsan, accompanied by captain Shubman Gill, was reprieved when Jamie Smith could not get a leg-side catch off the bowling of Stokes. Gill's tenure, however, was brief as he got an in-dipping delivery from Stokes wrong, shouldered arms and got trapped plumb in front. The on-field umpire's decision was confirmed on review, and Gill was out for 12, providing a timely lift to England.
The last session witnessed a flurry of counter-attacks from Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant. Pant, as usual, played reckless shots such as a strong sweep against Jofra Archer and a six off Carse down the ground. He and Sudharsan compiled a fifty partnership and took India over the 200-run mark.
But Pant's rash reverse-sweep against Woakes went awry. A bottom edge cracked into his right foot with a loud thud, putting him in visible pain. The swelling was instantaneous and acute, and the Indian vice-captain had to retire on 37 hurt. He was subsequently taken for scans and is doubtfully available for the rest of the match.
Soon thereafter, Sudharsan brought up his first Test fifty with a beautiful drive against Joe Root but got out soon thereafter to Stokes' short-ball strategy. Attempting to pull, he top-edged the ball to long leg, presenting Stokes with his second wicket of the day and maintaining his stranglehold over the left-hander in the series.
With spinners bowling from both ends owing to fading light, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur chipped in with some brisk runs, hitting three boundaries in between before poor light compelled the umpires to put an end to play.
It was a day of ebbs and flows, characterized by grit, injury downturns, and intelligent bowling switches. India will hope to consolidate on this base on Day 2, although much will depend on Pant's injury report.
India 264/4 in 83 overs
(B Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, KL Rahul 46, Rishabh Pant 37 retired hurt; Ben Stokes 2/47, Chris Woakes 1/43)*
Read also| Karun Nair Criticized Ahead of India-England 4th Test: ‘Not Expected from a No. 3’
