Openers’ Mammoth 166-Run Stand Puts England in Command, Still Trailing India by 133 Runs at Stumps; Pant’s Courageous Fifty Adds to India’s First Innings Total
Manchester [UK], July 25: England launched a formidable response on Day 2 of the fourth Test against India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 at Old Trafford. A monumental 166-run partnership between opening batsmen Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley propelled the Three Lions to a commanding 225 runs for the loss of just two wickets by the close of play on Thursday. At stumps, Ollie Pope (not out) and Joe Root (not out) were at the crease, with England still trailing India’s first innings total of 358 by 133 runs.
The Ben Stokes-led side started the third and final session of Day 2 from a comfortable 77/0, with Duckett (43*) and Crawley (33*) having set a solid foundation. Duckett wasted no time in reaching his fifty, smashing a boundary off Shardul Thakur on the very first ball of the 19th over, a shot that also brought up England’s hundred. Not long after, in the 21st over, Crawley completed his own half-century with a boundary off Thakur. The duo continued their aggressive intent, with Duckett hitting another boundary off Mohammed Siraj in the 29th over, pushing England past the 150-run mark.
The formidable opening stand was finally broken in the 32nd over when left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Zak Crawley for a well-made 84 runs off 113 balls, with the score at 166. After Crawley’s departure, Ollie Pope walked out to bat. England then lost their second wicket at 197 when debutant Anshul Kamboj claimed his maiden Test wicket, sending Ben Duckett back to the pavilion for a magnificent 94 runs off just 100 balls. Pope then hammered a boundary off Kamboj in the 39th over, taking England past the 200-run mark.
England ended Day 2 at 225/2 in 46 overs, with Pope and Root forging an unbeaten 28-run partnership off 47 balls. For Shubman Gill’s Indian side, Anshul Kamboj (1/48 in 10 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/37 in 8 overs) were the wicket-takers.
Earlier in the day, India resumed their first innings from their overnight score of 321/6, with Rishabh Pant (39)* and Washington Sundar (20)* at the crease. In the 110th over, India suffered a double blow as captain Ben Stokes dismissed both Sundar (27) and debutant Anshul Kamboj (0), leaving India at 337. Despite a fractured toe from Day 1, Pant showed immense courage, completing his half-century on the first ball of the 112th over with a boundary off Stokes, an act that earned him a rousing ovation from the crowd.
However, India’s innings soon concluded. At 349, Rishabh Pant’s valiant knock of 54 runs off 75 balls came to an end as he was cleaned up by right-arm seamer Jofra Archer. In the very same over, India managed to cross the 350-run mark. After Pant’s dismissal, Mohammed Siraj (5*) came to the crease, but India were ultimately bowled out for 358 on the first ball of the 115th over when Jasprit Bumrah (4) was dismissed by Archer.
For England, Captain Ben Stokes was the star with the ball, bagging an impressive fifer (5/72 in 24 overs) – his first five-wicket haul in eight years. Jofra Archer also picked up three wickets (3/73 in 26.1 overs), while Chris Woakes (1/66 in 23 overs) and Liam Dawson (1/45 in 15 overs) claimed one wicket each.
In reply to India’s 358, England’s openers Duckett and Crawley started cautiously but soon accelerated, attacking the Indian bowlers, particularly right-arm pacer Siraj (0/26 in 4 overs) and debutant Kamboj (0/29 in 5 overs). Even Bumrah was a little expensive, conceding 22 runs in his first five overs.
It’s worth noting that the second day began with India’s lower order extending their innings. In the first session, India added 57 runs in 22 overs, losing two crucial wickets. Jofra Archer, looking sharp, gave England the perfect start by dismissing Ravindra Jadeja for 20. Shardul Thakur, known for his fighting spirit, displayed great patience, absorbing pressure and punishing loose balls before being dismissed by Ben Stokes for a well-made 41.
However, the most emotional moment of the session, and perhaps the day, was when Rishabh Pant walked out to bat. Clearly limping and in discomfort, his determination was palpable. As he made his way to the middle, the Old Trafford crowd erupted with a huge roar, a powerful sight that instantly lifted the spirits of Indian fans and earned him admiration from all corners of the cricketing world.
Brief Score: India 358 all out (Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Rishabh Pant 54; Ben Stokes 5/72, Jofra Archer 3/73) vs England 225/2 (Ben Duckett 94, Zak Crawley 84; Ravindra Jadeja 1/37, Anshul Kamboj 1/48).