IND vs ENG 4th Test Day 2 Highlights: Ben Stokes’ England 225/2 At Stumps. Day 2 of the fourth Test at Manchester saw India post a competitive score of 358 in their first innings, with Rishabh Pant putting up a valiant 54 after playing with a toe injury. Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and Sai Sudharsan (61) set a foundation for India, while Shardul Thakur’s low-order score of 41 came in important runs.
The total could have been increased further with India looking set, but Ben Stokes turned things around for England, taking 5/72, his first five-wicket haul in eight years, before tea.
England responded with Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) putting on a 166-run opening partnership, which began with an aggressive stroke play from England. Their attacking approach kept the bowlers at bay and dominant as the second half of the day progressed. Crawley was able to be dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja and then Duckett was taken by debutant Anshul Kamboj, who took a big wicket, giving some solace to India.
England end day 2 at 225/2, heading into Day 3, they are trailing by only 133 runs. England were in a dominant position with Joe Root (11)* and Ollie Pope (16)* at the crease.
India’s bowlers will have to strike early on Day 3 if they want to stop England from obtaining a decent lead. With the pitch offering some support for the spinners, Jadeja and Ashwin will be key to India’s opportunity to come back.
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The match is still in the balance but England have taken an edge through the first aggressive openers’ partnership and Stokes’ phenomenal bowling performance.
