India looked poised for a strong first-innings total on Day 1 of the fourth Test, but a freak injury to Rishabh Pant derailed their momentum at a crucial stage. At stumps, India ended on 264/4, but the dressing room wore a darker mood. With Pant’s foot bruised, bloodied, and his return to the crease in serious doubt.
Pant’s Agony at 212/3, The Turning Point
The left-hander was building something special on 37 off 48 balls, countering England’s short-ball tactics with composure and flair. But then came the moment that silenced the crowd at Old Trafford.
Attempting a reverse sweep, Pant misjudged the bounce, and the ball thudded flush into his right foot. He dropped to the ground in visible agony. Medical staff rushed in as replays showed the ball had struck the base of the toe, enough to cause swelling and visible bleeding. The decision was reviewed for LBW, but UltraEdge confirmed a bottom edge onto the boot.
He was eventually carted off the field on a stretcher buggy, his bat left behind, and with it, India’s middle-order stability. Pant did not return, and with his injury still being assessed, India may now be a batter short for the rest of this Test.
Also read : From the fields of Fazilpur to Old Trafford https://clickingtosports.com/anshul-kamboj-test-debut-old-trafford-india-england/
Bright Start, But England Fought Back
Earlier in the day, Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and KL Rahul (46) gave India a rock-solid start with a 94-run opening stand. The pitch was green and overcast, but England’s bowlers struggled in the first session. The only casualty was Jaiswal’s broken bat handle against Chris Woakes just before lunch.
Post-lunch, however, the tone shifted. Shubman Gill fell cheaply again. Liam Dawson, playing his first Test in 8 years, removed Jaiswal. Then Woakes and Stokes combined to dismiss Rahul and Sudharsan. The latter looking composed in a 61-run debut innings.
India were in control at 212/3, with Sai and Pant forming a patient rebuild, until the injury changed the game.
From Momentum to Mayhem
India may have lost the toss but looked solid on paper at stumps, but Pant’s freak injury turned a strong position into a fragile one. With only five proper batters, and the tail now dangerously exposed, the second day could define not just this Test, but the series.
Also read : Rishabh Pant Injury Recap: ‘He was in a lot of pain’ — Watch dramatic video from Manchester Test https://timesofindia-indiatimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-tour-of-england/rishabh-pant-injury-recap-he-was-in-a-lot-of-pain-watch-dramatic-video-from-manchester-test/amp_articleshow/122869874.cms?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17533276655454&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fsports%2Fcricket%2Findia-tour-of-england%2Frishabh-pant-injury-recap-he-was-in-a-lot-of-pain-watch-dramatic-video-from-manchester-test%2Farticleshow%2F122869874.cms
