Sai Sudharsan Anchors India as Pant Injury Mars Opening Day at Old Trafford

B Sai Sudharsan’s resilient maiden Test fifty guided India to 264 for 4 on a stop-start opening day of the fourth Test against England, after Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt with a serious foot injury. In overcast conditions, the visitors scrapped their way through 83 overs of attritional cricket, with neither side fully seizing control.

India’s innings was anchored by a 94-run opening stand between KL Rahul (46) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58), before Sai Sudharsan – recalled in place of Karun Nair – played the anchor role at No. 3, scoring 61 in a composed knock under pressure.

Pant’s injury cast a shadow over the day, with the wicketkeeper-batter limping off the field after under-edging a reverse sweep from Chris Woakes onto his right foot. The blow appeared to cause significant bruising, and he left the field on the back of an ambulance cart, having made 37.

Patient Start, Steady Progress

After being sent in by Ben Stokes in cloudy conditions, India’s openers made the most of a sluggish pitch and some wayward early bowling from England. Rahul became only the fifth Indian to score 1000 Test runs in England, while Jaiswal notched his third fifty-plus score of the tour with a cautious 96-ball half-century. The pair saw off the new ball in a watchful morning session.

But England kept themselves in the contest, maintaining tight control with the ball. Chris Woakes broke the opening stand just before lunch, removing Rahul with a delivery that found the outside edge and carried to Zak Crawley at slip.

Jaiswal followed shortly after, edging Liam Dawson to slip while attempting to drive. The left-arm spinner, playing his first Test in eight years, celebrated his return with a key breakthrough.

Sudharsan Steadies the Ship

Sai Sudharsan then took over the reins, displaying maturity well beyond his experience in just his third Test. He added 72 with Pant and looked composed even as England’s bowlers kept things tight. His fifty was India’s first at No. 3 since their home loss to New Zealand last year.

However, his innings ended in familiar fashion, falling to Stokes for the third consecutive time in the series – cramped for room on the pull and picking out long leg.

Shubman Gill had a brief and tense stay at the crease before being trapped lbw by a sharp Stokes nip-backer for 12, departing amid jeers from England’s close-in fielders still riled up by his comments ahead of the match.

Pant Injury Alters Mood

Pant’s knock was characteristically unpredictable, mixing watchful defense with aggressive shots, including a slog-swept four off Archer. But it ended dramatically when he under-edged a reverse-sweep from Woakes onto his foot, prompting immediate concern and a long delay before he was taken off the field.

With light fading and the second new ball imminent, England were denied further chances late in the day. Shardul Thakur, surprisingly promoted ahead of Washington Sundar, batted cautiously alongside Ravindra Jadeja to see India through to stumps.

Score at Stumps:

India 264 for 4
(Sai Sudharsan 61, Jaiswal 58, Rahul 46, Stokes 2-47)

With the series on the line and the Test finely balanced, much will depend on the extent of Pant’s injury and India’s ability to capitalise on their solid start when play resumes on Day 2.