India In Trouble
Manchester: The pendulum swung firmly in England’s favour on Day 2 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, leaving the visitors with a significant challenge ahead. After a solid, if not spectacular, Day 1, India’s momentum fizzled, and England capitalized with a blistering batting display that has put them in a commanding position.
Resuming at 264/4, India aimed to build a formidable first-innings total. While Rishabh Pant, battling a fractured foot from Day 1, showed immense courage to come out and score a valiant 54, and contributions from Shardul Thakur (41) and Washington Sundar (27) pushed the total, India were eventually bowled out for 358. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, was the star with the ball, claiming his first five-wicket haul in eight years (5/72), while Jofra Archer also chipped in with three wickets.
However, it was England’s response with the bat that truly shifted the game. Openers Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) launched a sensational assault on the Indian bowlers, stitching together a 166-run opening partnership. They scored at a remarkable pace, making the most of the slightly easier batting conditions and a surprisingly wayward Indian new-ball attack. Boundaries flowed freely, and the run rate soared, quickly eating into India’s first-innings lead.
Despite their aggressive start, both openers fell short of centuries, with Ravindra Jadeja finally breaking the partnership by dismissing Crawley, and debutant Anshul Kamboj picking up his maiden Test wicket by accounting for Duckett. However, the damage was largely done. At stumps on Day 2, England were 225/2, trailing India by just 133 runs, with Ollie Pope (20*) and Joe Root (11*) at the crease.
India’s bowlers, especially the pacers, struggled to find their rhythm and consistently hit the right areas. The overcast conditions that favoured England’s bowlers in the morning seemed to disappear when India came out to bowl, and England’s openers took full advantage. While Jasprit Bumrah improved as the day went on, and Jadeja provided a crucial breakthrough, India needs a significant improvement in their bowling accuracy and discipline on Day 3.
This Test match is now firmly in England’s control. Their openers laid an incredible foundation, and with Root and Pope still at the crease, they will be looking to build a substantial lead. For India to get back into this contest, they will need early wickets on Day 3 and an exceptional batting performance in their second innings. The pressure is well and truly on Shubman Gill’s side.
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