ENG vs IND 2025, 4th Test Day 1 Review: Sudharsan shines with maiden fifty, but doubts over Rishabh Pant’s future part

India made three changes to their starting XI, replacing Akash Deep, Karun Nair, and Nitish Kumar Reddy with Anshul Kamboj, Sai Sudharsan, and Shardul Thakur respectively.

The fourth test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 is underway at Old Trafford in Manchester, with England leading the five-match series 2-1. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bowl first.

India had a strong start, scoring 25 runs in the opening seven overs. Indian openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal survived the early action in cloudy conditions, surviving a few near calls but remaining composed throughout the session. Rahul achieved a milestone by becoming only the fifth Indian hitter to score 1,000 Test runs in England. The duo also became the first overseas opening combination in a decade to go unblemished through the first session of Day 1 in England. India went to lunch at 78/0.

After the opening session, Rahul fell for 46, beating Chris Woakes to Zak Crawley at third slip. Jaiswal found his stride, scoring his 12th Test half-century and eighth against England in just 16 innings. However, he was quickly dismissed for 58, caught by Harry Brook at slip off Liam Dawson, who was playing his first game in eight years.

Sudharsan received a reprieve when Jamie Smith dropped a catch,

But Indian captain Shubman Gill failed to make an impact, falling to Ben Stokes for 12, the third time he has been bowled without offering a shot. India’s total at Tea was 149, despite losing three men.

Pant carted off to medical facility

After Tea, Rishabh Pant and Sudharsan put together a fluent 50-run partnership in just 11.3 overs, helping stabilize India’s innings. During this period, Pant also became the second-highest six-hitter for India in Test cricket, surpassing Rohit Sharma with 89 sixes, just one short of Virender Sehwag’s 90.

However, Pant’s innings was cut short when he attempted a reverse sweep off Woakes, only to under-edge the ball onto his foot. He appeared to be in discomfort and had to retire hurt. The wicketkeeper-batter could not even walk off the ground, and a cart came on the field to take him away. Ravindra Jadeja then put his steps onto the crease, replacing the star stumper-batter, whose further participation in the Test or the series looks highly doubtful.

Sudharsan continued his solid innings, bringing up his maiden Test half-century in 134 balls. He became the first Indian No. 3 batter to score 50 or more in a Test since Gill’s 90 against New Zealand. His innings ended on 67 after falling to Stokes, the third time the England skipper has dismissed him in the series.