MANCHESTER [UK]: Half-centuries from left-hand batters Sai Sudarshan and Yashasvi Jaiswal propelled India to a total of 264/4 at the end of Day 1 of the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, played at Old Trafford in Manchester.
At stumps on Day 1, India were 264/4 in 83 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja (19*) and Shardul Thakur (19*) unbeaten at the crease, having built an unbroken partnership of 29 runs off 55 balls.
India, led by Shubman Gill, started the final session at 149/3 in 52 overs, with Sai Sudarshan (26*) and Rishabh Pant (3*) on the wicket. The team crossed the 150-run mark in the 53rd over and surpassed 200 runs in the 65th over.
A significant moment occurred at the score of 212 when Rishabh Pant, looking solid on 37, was struck hard on the right foot by a sharp delivery from Chris Woakes. The injury appeared serious, with visible swelling and some bleeding, leaving Pant unable to continue. He was taken off the field in a motorized vehicle, and Ravindra Jadeja came out to replace him.
In the 69th over, Sai Sudarshan completed his maiden Test fifty, hitting a boundary off off-spinner Joe Root. However, in the 74th over, India lost their fourth wicket as Ben Stokes dismissed Sai Sudarshan (61 runs off 151 balls) when the team’s score was 235. Shardul Thakur then joined Ravindra Jadeja. India completed the 250-run mark on the second ball of the 79th over with a single from Shardul Thakur off Liam Dawson’s bowling.
For England, all-rounder Ben Stokes was the pick of the bowlers, snapping two wickets for 47 runs in 14 overs. Chris Woakes bagged one wicket for 43 runs in 17 overs, and Liam Dawson also secured one wicket for 45 runs in 15 overs.
Earlier in the day, England won the toss and elected to field first. Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul started cautiously. Jaiswal survived an early catch attempt, and both batters showed resilience against England’s pace attack of Woakes, Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse. India reached 42/0 at the first drinks break, with KL Rahul on 21* and Jaiswal on 13*.
KL Rahul also achieved a personal milestone, becoming the fifth Indian batter to complete 1,000 runs in England, joining the elite company of Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli.
Jaiswal became more aggressive towards the end of the first session, hitting some big shots against Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. India concluded the first session without losing a wicket, reaching 78/0 at Lunch.
Brief score: India 264/4 (Sai Sudarshan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 2/47) vs England. Sources