India’s Strong Start in the Fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025
On the first day of the fourth Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, played at Old Trafford in Manchester, India posted a formidable total of 264/4. The team was led by strong performances from left-handed batters Sai Sudarshan and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who both scored half-centuries to set the foundation for a solid innings.
India’s batting lineup showed resilience and determination throughout the day. At the end of the first session, they were at 149/3 with Sai Sudarshan (26) and Rishabh Pant (3) on strike. The partnership between the two batters helped the team cross the 150-run mark in the 53rd over. By the 65th over, the visitors had surpassed the 200-run threshold, showcasing their ability to build momentum.
However, the innings faced a setback when Rishabh Pant was struck hard on the right foot by a sharp delivery from Chris Woakes. The injury appeared serious, with visible swelling and bleeding, forcing the physio to rush onto the field. Pant was unable to continue, and a motorized vehicle was used to transport him off the pitch. Ravindra Jadeja came in as his replacement, continuing the team’s fight for a strong total.
Sai Sudarshan played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings. In the 69th over, he reached his maiden Test fifty by hitting a boundary off Joe Root’s bowling. His innings lasted 151 balls, scoring 61 runs before being dismissed by Ben Stokes in the 74th over when the score was 235.
India continued to push forward, reaching the 250-run mark in the 79th over as Shardul Thakur took a single off Liam Dawson’s bowling. The team ended the first day at 264/4, with Ravindra Jadeja (19) and Shardul Thakur (19) remaining unbeaten on the crease. The pair formed an unbroken partnership of 29 runs, contributing significantly to the team’s total.
On the English side, Ben Stokes was the most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 47 runs in 14 overs. Chris Woakes and Liam Dawson each claimed one wicket, with Woakes taking 1/43 in 17 overs and Dawson recording 1/45 in 15 overs.
Before the start of the innings, England elected to field first after winning the toss. India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, started cautiously, each scoring a boundary within the first three overs. Jaiswal survived a close catch attempt in the first over, while he faced challenges against Chris Woakes, who consistently beat him with his deliveries.
KL Rahul, however, made history by becoming the fifth Indian batter to reach 1,000 runs in England. He joined an elite group that includes Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli. The opener also showed great composure, surviving a tough delivery from Ben Stokes in his first over.
Both Jaiswal and Rahul maintained a steady approach during the first hour of the innings, keeping the score at 42/0 with Jaiswal on 13 and Rahul on 21. They continued their aggressive approach after drinks, with Jaiswal hitting some powerful shots against Stokes and Jofra Archer.
India managed to finish the first session without losing any wickets, setting up a strong platform for the rest of the innings. Their performance on the first day demonstrated their ability to adapt and thrive under pressure.
Key Highlights from the First Day
- Sai Sudarshan scored a crucial 61 runs off 151 balls.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed a valuable 58 runs.
- Ben Stokes was the standout bowler for England, taking 2 wickets.
- Rishabh Pant suffered a serious injury and was forced to retire.
- Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur remained unbeaten at the end of the day.
- KL Rahul reached 1,000 runs in England, joining an elite list of Indian batters.
The first day of the Test match set the stage for an exciting contest, with India showing strong batting performances and England striving to make inroads into the visitors’ innings.
