Rishabh Pant Injury Scare Casts Shadow Over Day 1 as England Challenge India at Old Trafford

 

MANCHESTER – Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford ended with concern for India as Rishabh Pant left the field injured, adding to the pressure on a team that must win to stay in the series.





England Take a Risk – and Get Rewarded Early

Against historical trends, England skipper Ben Stokes chose to bowl first after winning the toss—despite no team ever having won a Test at Old Trafford after choosing to field.

India, trailing 2-1 in the five-match series, not only needed a win to stay alive but also had to overcome their own history — they’ve never won a Test at Old Trafford in nine previous attempts.

The morning began well for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul braved challenging conditions and a lively new ball spell from Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes, guiding India to 78 without loss by lunch.

But things unraveled quickly in the afternoon.

Middle-Order Collapse After Steady Start

KL Rahul, who had reached 40 by the lunch interval, was the first to fall after the break. Attempting a punch off the back foot, he edged Woakes to Zak Crawley at third slip.

Jaiswal looked composed, late-cutting Brydon Carse to bring up his fifty off 96 balls. But his innings came to an end shortly after when veteran spinner Liam Dawson, playing his first Test in eight years, got him to edge a length ball to Harry Brook at first slip. Dawson, back in the team due to Shoaib Bashir’s injury, made an immediate impact, taking just seven balls to strike.

Pant's Flair — and Frightening Injury

India’s recovery came in the form of Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudharsan, the young left-hander who looked settled in his second Test appearance. Sudharsan was dropped on 20 and later went on to score a well-crafted 61, hooking Archer for two boundaries.

Pant played with his usual aggression, even launching a full-length ball from Brydon Carse for a stunning six down the ground. But then came a moment that silenced the crowd.

Attempting a reverse sweep to a yorker-length delivery from Woakes — a shot few would even consider — Pant misjudged it badly. England appealed for lbw, but replays showed a thick inside edge before the ball smashed into his right foot.

He managed to remove his boot in visible pain and, after medical attention, was taken off the field on a golf cart, leaving India at 212 for 3. At that point, he'd scored a quick 37 off 48 balls, and the momentum had started to shift.

His injury—though not caused by ball impact—looked serious, and his availability for the rest of the match, and possibly the series, now hangs in the balance.

Late Drama and Light Issues

Just minutes after Pant left the field, Sudharsan too was dismissed. Attempting a pull off a short ball from Ben Stokes, he top-edged to Brydon Carse at long leg for 61, a well-played innings under pressure.

Shubman Gill, walking in under boos from the crowd (following his “spirit of cricket” accusations in the third Test), failed to silence critics. He was dismissed for 12 after misjudging a delivery from Stokes and offering no shot. The decision was reviewed, but the DRS upheld the lbw call, leaving India 140 for 3.

Gill’s poor form continues — he has managed just 34 runs across his last three innings, despite scoring three centuries earlier in the series.

As the floodlights came on, spin was introduced from both ends with Liam Dawson and part-timer Joe Root. However, fading light forced the umpires to take players off early, even with spin bowling, bringing an abrupt end to a topsy-turvy day.

 Day 1 Summary:

  • India reached 264/4 at the End of the Day One at MANCHESTER

  • Sudharsan scored a gritty 61; Pant added a quick 37 before injury.

  • Dawson, Woakes, and Stokes took a wicket each.

  • India are chasing history: never won at Old Trafford and must win to stay in the series.

 What Ahead on Day 2?

India will hope for good news on Pant’s injury and need the middle and lower order to dig deep. With England’s bowlers in rhythm and the pitch offering enough assistance, Day 2 promises to be just as intense. Will India bounce back, or will England tighten the noose?


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