ENG vs IND 4th Test: India’s first innings ended at 358 runs, England also made a strong comeback, read the status of the second day’s play

The fourth match of the much-anticipated Anderson-Tendulkar Test series between England and India kicked off on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester. After winning the toss, England opted to bowl first, putting India into bat under overcast skies. The visitors, starting their first innings with high expectations, were bowled out for 358 runs by the second day. Despite a solid foundation laid on Day 1, the Indian innings couldn’t capitalize further, as England bounced back effectively with the ball on Day 2. When play resumed on the second morning, India were at 264 for 4, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sarfaraz Khan at the crease. However, Jadeja, who had remained unbeaten overnight, could add just one run to his score before falling for 20, giving England an early breakthrough. Shardul Thakur, known for his handy lower-order batting, played a crucial innings, scoring 41 valuable runs. Washington Sundar also chipped in with a steady 27, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. India’s innings wrapped up at 358 in 114.1 overs, a total that appeared competitive but perhaps 50–70 runs short considering their position at stumps on Day 1.

England's bowlers shared the workload well, but it was captain Ben Stokes who led from the front. His fiery spell earned him a five-wicket haul (5/75), his first five-for in nearly three years. Jofra Archer continued to look sharp, taking 3 wickets with pace and precision, while Chris Woakes and Liam Dawson picked up a wicket each to cap off a disciplined bowling effort.

In reply, England made a commanding start with the bat. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett stitched together a brilliant 166-run partnership, putting pressure on the Indian bowlers from the start. Duckett played fluently for his 94 runs, falling agonizingly short of a well-deserved century, while Crawley also impressed with a stylish 84. Their positive intent not only helped England erase a large chunk of the deficit quickly but also shifted the momentum towards the home team. However, India finally found a breakthrough when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Crawley, and Anshul Kamboj – making a strong impact on debut – removed Duckett, giving the visitors a much-needed breather.

At the close of play on Day 2, England were strongly placed at 225 for 2 in 46 overs, trailing by just 133 runs with 8 wickets still in hand. Ollie Pope (20\*) and Joe Root (11\*) were unbeaten at the crease, looking steady and poised to take England closer to India’s first innings total on Day 3. Root, in particular, looked composed, and with his wealth of experience, he will be a key figure as the game progresses.

From India’s perspective, the day was a mixed bag. While the team crossed the 350-run mark in their first innings, they would be slightly disappointed with their inability to convert a good start into a massive total. In bowling, the Indian pacers and spinners toiled hard but found little help from the pitch on Day 2. With just two wickets to show by stumps, they will need early breakthroughs on Day 3 to avoid falling behind in this crucial Test match. The surface at Old Trafford is expected to become more conducive to spin as the game progresses, which could bring players like Jadeja and Sundar further into play.

As the fourth Test continues, both teams remain firmly in the contest. England’s strong start with the bat has put them in a favorable position, but with three days still to go, the game remains wide open. Much will depend on how well India can respond with the ball in the first session on Day 3 and whether England’s middle-order can build on the solid platform laid by their openers.