Overcast skies, forecasts of rain, and doubts about the wicket made the toss crucial. But as he won the toss for the fourth successive time in the series on Wednesday, Ben Stokes promptly asked India to bat at Old Trafford.
While Stokes expected the bowlers to make use of the conditions, his Indian counterpart Shubman Gill thought it was a ‘good toss to lose’ as he was confident that the surface would favour the batters.
And, he wasn’t entirely wrong.
Despite persistent lines from England’s bowlers and some help from the surface, India dominated most sessions. Riding on fifties by Yashasvi Jaiswal (58, 107b; 10×4, 1×6) and B. Sai Sudharsan (61, 151b, 7×4), India ended the opening day at 264 for four.
On expected lines, India brought in Sai Sudharsan at No. 3, benching Karun Nair, and the move paid off. Tamil Nadu batter notched up his maiden Test fifty and built pivotal partnerships – with Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant – to steady India’s innings after a flurry of wickets in the afternoon session.
B. Sai Sudharsan added 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Rishabh Pant.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
B. Sai Sudharsan added 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Rishabh Pant.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Though the Indian camp would be satisfied with the way the its innings progressed, Pant’s injury on the right foot will be a huge concern.
Pant looked at ease and added 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Sai Sudharsan, before being hit on his right foot while trying to reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. Visibly in pain, Pant hobbled and called on the physio and had to be eventually taken off the pitch on a golf cart. His right foot, already swollen up, was bleeding. The batter was later rushed to the hospital for further treatment and scans.
Despite the surface offering variable bounce, Pant’s aggressive approach seemed to be taking India to a comfortable position. But the injury broke the momentum, and Sai Sudharsan top-edged a Stokes delivery and holed out at long leg.
However, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur ensured that there were no further dents before the stumps were drawn early due to poor light.
Inserted in, Jaiswal and Rahul forged a 94-run alliance and ensured England went wicketless in the first session. It was an uncharacteristic innings from Jaiswal, as he saw off Jofra Archer’s opening burst, during which the pacer conceded just seven runs in five overs.
Jaiswal also went past 1000 Test runs against England during the innings, becoming the joint second-fastest Indian batter to the milestone. Rahul was equally steady until he was nabbed by Chris Woakes. Looking to punch off his back foot, Rahul edged to third slip shortly after lunch.
India was soon reduced to 140 for 3. Stokes trapped Gill in the front before Liam Dawson, returning to the side after eight years, dismissed Jaiswal. But in the end, India took things in its stride and recovered.
