INDIA VS ENGLAND

 

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🇮🇳 India vs England – 4th Test, Day 1 Recap

Date: July 23, 2025
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Series: Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (5-match Test series)
Match Status: Day 1 – Stumps
Series Score: England leads 2-1

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🌥️ Toss & Conditions

The day began under a blanket of grey clouds, typical Manchester mood. Ben Stokes, England’s captain, won the toss for the fourth time in a row (someone needs to check that coin! 🪙) and chose to bowl first. With moisture in the air and a pitch that had a hint of green, it was a no-brainer.

India, trailing in the series, had no choice but to dig deep. They made three changes: Karun Nair was dropped, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep were injured. In came Sai Sudharsan, Shardul Thakur, and debutant Anshul Kamboj.

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🧢 Playing XIs

🇮🇳 India

• Shubman Gill (Captain)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• KL Rahul
• Sai Sudharsan
• Rishabh Pant (WK)
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Washington Sundar
• Shardul Thakur
• Anshul Kamboj (Debut)
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Siraj

🏴 England

• Ben Stokes (Captain)
• Zak Crawley
• Ben Duckett
• Ollie Pope
• Joe Root
• Harry Brook
• Jamie Smith (WK)
• Liam Dawson
• Chris Woakes
• Brydon Carse
• Jofra Archer

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🏏 Morning Session: Calm Before the Storm

India’s openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, walked out with purpose. The first hour was all about survival. Archer and Woakes bowled with venom, but the Indian duo was composed.

• Rahul reached a personal milestone—1000 Test runs in England, joining legends like Tendulkar, Dravid, Gavaskar, and Kohli.
• Jaiswal, ever the flair player, curbed his instincts and played with maturity.
• The pair added 94 runs for the first wicket, blunting England’s new-ball threat.

It wasn’t flashy cricket—it was gritty, old-school Test match batting. Rahul eventually fell to Liam Dawson, chopping on while trying to cut.

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🌤️ Afternoon Session: Sudharsan’s Redemption & Pant’s Pain

Enter Sai Sudharsan, the young left-hander recalled to the XI. He was dropped on 20 by Jamie Smith—a moment that would haunt England. Sudharsan went on to score a maiden Test fifty, anchoring the innings with poise.

• His knock was slow but steady—61 off 142 balls, with 6 boundaries.
• He left balls outside off like a monk renouncing temptation.
• His partnership with Jaiswal and later Pant stabilized India.

But then came the twist—Rishabh Pant, looking fluent, pulled up mid-run and had to retire hurt with a foot injury. The sight of him limping off was heartbreaking. His availability for the rest of the match remains uncertain.

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🌆 Evening Session: England’s Late Punch

Ben Stokes, ever the clutch performer, dismissed Sudharsan for the third time in three innings, cramping him for room and forcing a mistimed pull. The ball found Brydon Carse at long leg.

India ended the day at 264/4 in 83 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur unbeaten on 19 each. The run rate hovered around 3.18—steady, not spectacular.

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📊 Scoreboard Snapshot

Team	Runs	Overs	Wickets	Top Scorers
🇮🇳 India	264/4	83.0	4	Sudharsan – 61 🌟 Jaiswal – 58 💪
🏴 England	Yet to bat	—	—	—

Bowling Highlights:

• Liam Dawson: 1/45 (15 overs)
• Ben Stokes: 1 wicket (Sudharsan)

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🧠 Tactical Takeaways

• India’s Patience: The top order resisted temptation and played late, especially against Archer’s pace and Woakes’ swing.
• Sudharsan’s Statement: After being dropped earlier in the series, his 61 was a redemption arc.
• Pant’s Injury: A massive blow. If he’s ruled out, India loses its best keeper and a middle-order dynamo.
• England’s Discipline: They conceded just over 3 runs per over, keeping India in check despite only four wickets.

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🧪 Debut Watch: Anshul Kamboj

The young pacer from Chennai didn’t get to bowl on Day 1, but his energy in the field was noticeable. Sharp throws, quick reflexes—he looked ready. With rain forecasted for Day 2, his swing bowling could be crucial.

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🏟️ Pitch & Weather Report

• Pitch: Slow bounce, minimal lateral movement. Good for batters who play late.
• Weather Forecast: Rain expected on Day 2 and Day 4. Could disrupt play and favor seamers.
• Impact: Moisture may aid bowlers like Bumrah and Archer early on.

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📺 Where to Watch

• Live Streaming: JioCinema (Free)
• TV Broadcast: Sony Sports Network (Ten 1, Ten 3 Hindi, HD options)
• Start Time: 3:30 PM IST daily
• Toss Time: 3:00 PM IST

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🧮 Series Context

England leads the series 2-1, having won the 1st and 3rd Tests. India’s win at Edgbaston was emphatic, but they now face a must-win situation to stay alive in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Series Results So Far

Test	Venue	Result
1st	Headingley	England won by 5 wickets
2nd	Edgbaston	India won by 336 runs
3rd	Lord’s	England won by 22 runs
4th	Old Trafford	Ongoing
5th	The Oval	Scheduled July 31–Aug 4

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🔍 Player Spotlight: Sai Sudharsan

• Runs: 61
• Balls Faced: 142
• Strike Rate: 42.95
• Boundaries: 6 fours
• Dropped Chance: On 20 by Jamie Smith
• Dismissed By: Ben Stokes

Sudharsan’s innings was a masterclass in patience. He stitched the innings together while the rest of the middle order waited in the wings. His dismissal was unfortunate, but his contribution was vital.

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🧨 What’s Next?

Day 2 promises high drama. India will aim to push past 350, while England will look to exploit early morning conditions. With Pant’s injury and rain looming, the match could swing either way.

Will India’s middle order rise to the occasion? Can England’s bowlers break through and seize control?

Stay tuned—and if you want a Day 2 preview or a cheeky meme roundup, I’ve got you covered. 😄📣