ENG vs IND 2025, 4th Test Day 1 Review: Sudharsan shines with maiden fifty but doubts over Rishabh Pant's further part

Published - 23 Jul 2025, 23:00 IST | Updated - 23 Jul 2025, 23:11 IST

The fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 is underway at Old Trafford, Manchester, with England leading the five-match series 2-1. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first. India made three changes to their playing XI bringing in the likes of Anshul Kamboj, Sai Sudharsan, and Shardul Thakur over Akash Deep, Karun Nair, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

India made a steady start, scoring 25 runs in the first seven overs. Indian openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal weathered the early movement under overcast conditions, surviving a few close moments but handling the session with composure. Rahul reached a milestone, becoming only the fifth Indian batter to score 1,000 Test runs in England. The pair also became the first overseas opening duo in the past decade to remain unbeaten through the first session on Day 1 in England. India went to Lunch at 78/0.

After the first session, the breakthrough came when Rahul fell for 46, edging Chris Woakes to Zak Crawley at third slip. Jaiswal got his rhythm, registering his 12th Test half-century, also his eighth against England in just 16 innings. However, he was soon dismissed for 58, caught by Harry Brook at slip off Liam Dawson, who was playing his first game in eight years.

Batting at 3, Sudharsan got a reprieve when Jamie Smith dropped a catch, while Indian captain Shubman Gill could not make an impact, falling to Ben Stokes for 12, the third time he has been dismissed without offering a shot. At Tea, India stood at 149 for the loss of three men.

Netizens weigh in on Shubman Gill's dismissal in 4th Test

After Tea, Rishabh Pant and Sudharsan put together a fluent 50-run partnership in just 11.3 overs, helping stabilize India’s innings. During this period, Pant also became the second-highest six-hitter for India in Test cricket, surpassing Rohit Sharma with 89 sixes, just one short of Virender Sehwag’s 90.

However, Pant's innings was cut short when he attempted a reverse sweep off Woakes, only to under-edge the ball onto his foot. He appeared to be in discomfort and had to retire hurt. The wicketkeeper-batter could not even walk off the ground, and a cart came on the field to take him away. Ravindra Jadeja then put his steps onto the crease, replacing the star stumper-batter, whose further participation in the Test or the series looks highly doubtful.

Sudharsan continued his solid innings, bringing up his maiden Test half-century in 134 balls. He became the first Indian No. 3 batter to score 50 or more in a Test since Gill’s 90 against New Zealand. His innings ended on 67 after falling to Stokes, the third time the England skipper has dismissed him in the series.

With fading light bringing an early end to the day, India closed Day 1 on 264 for 4, with Ravindra Jadeja (19*) and Shardul Thakur (19*) unbeaten at the crease.