India were 264/4 at the end of Day 1 of the fourth Test in the five-match series at Old Trafford. Ravindra Jadeja (19*) and Shardul Thakur (19*) were at the crease when play was stopped due to bad light.

India batted first after Ben Stokes won the toss for the fourth consecutive time and chose to bowl under cloudy skies. However, the decision didn’t pay off immediately, as India’s openers remained solid throughout the morning. The visitors lost just four wickets in 83 overs, but England’s bowlers kept things tight, conceding only three runs per over.

India Start Steadily, England Hold Firm

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a strong start, adding 94 runs in 30 overs. But it was B Sai Sudharsan, returning to the team in place of Karun Nair, who stood out with his patient batting. He scored his first Test half-century, becoming the first Indian No. 3 to do so since India’s last home Test against New Zealand.

Sai Sudharsan stayed calm and steady throughout the afternoon and evening. He kept the innings together, especially after Rishabh Pant had to leave the field with a foot injury. However, Sudharsan fell soon after, once again dismissed by Ben Stokes — for the third time in three innings — when he mistimed a pull shot and was caught by Brydon Carse at long leg. Earlier in the innings, Jamie Smith had dropped a leg-side catch when Sudharsan was on 20, but he breathed easy after the batter’s eventual dismissal.

Stokes’ Toss Decision Backfires

Stokes' choice to bowl first meant his team needed to break a record to win. No team has ever won a Test at Old Trafford after choosing to bowl first. Shubman Gill later commented that it turned out to be “a good toss to lose” because of the difficult weather conditions.

India’s openers supported that view by batting through the first session with minimal trouble, although a few deliveries beat the bat. Rahul became the fifth Indian to score 1,000 Test runs in England. He looked confident and experienced, handling Jofra Archer’s first spell with care.

Trouble Outside the Ground, Quiet Inside

The start of the match saw half-empty stands, as many fans were delayed outside. Lancashire County Cricket Club apologized, blaming long security checks and delayed arrivals. Inside the ground, the match moved slowly. England’s bowlers often missed the ideal length in the early overs.

Chris Woakes, who kept his place despite a tough outing at Lord’s, took the first wicket. Rahul tried to drive him through mid-off but edged it to Zak Crawley at third slip.

Jaiswal, who had struggled at Lord’s, played more cautiously this time. He reached his fifty in 96 balls — his eighth score over fifty in just 16 innings against England. He punished loose deliveries, especially from Brydon Carse. But when Liam Dawson came on, Jaiswal chased a wide one and edged it to Brook at slip.

Dawson Makes Impact on Return

Dawson celebrated the wicket enthusiastically. He was playing his first Test in eight years, having replaced the injured Shoaib Bashir thanks to good performances for Hampshire. He bowled with control and confidence, showing why he earned his recall.

Shubman Gill walked in at No. 4, greeted by loud fielders after his comments about England’s behaviour at Lord’s. After a stylish boundary, he left a ball from Stokes and was trapped lbw for 12. He reviewed the decision, but it went against him.

Pant Injured, Sai Sudharsan Fights On

Pant began slowly but occasionally showed his aggressive side. He hit a slog-swept four off Archer and attempted a reverse sweep later. He partnered with Sudharsan for a 72-run stand after tea under the floodlights.

But his innings ended in pain. During another reverse sweep attempt off Woakes, the ball hit his foot after a small edge. The injury looked serious, and Pant had to be taken off the field on a medical cart. He retired hurt on 37.

Sudharsan reached his fifty soon after by driving Joe Root through the covers. However, his wicket again brought England back into the game.

Even Finish as Day Ends

Shardul Thakur came in ahead of Washington Sundar, which surprised many. He supported Ravindra Jadeja for over nine overs. Just as England looked to take the second new ball, bad light stopped play.

The match ended with both sides still in contention, and the outcome remains wide open.

Brief Scorecard