India's Mixed Day at Manchester Test: Injuries and Missed opportunities mar Solid Start

 

India could have ended Day 1 of the Manchester Test on a stronger note. Had Shubman Gill not been declared LBW to a Ben Stokes delivery that demanded questionable judgment, the visitors—trailing in the series—might have found themselves in a better position. Still, India closed the day at 264/4.

Concerns deepened in the Indian camp as vice-captain Rishabh Pant added to their injury woes. Making a comeback from a finger injury, Pant suffered a fresh blow—this time to his right leg. The incident occurred in the 78th over when he attempted a reverse sweep to a Chris Woakes yorker. The ball deflected off his bat and struck his leg. In immediate pain, Pant called for the physio but was unable to continue batting and returned to the pavilion. His leg appeared visibly swollen with a major bruise, and he was unable to put any weight on it. Ravindra Jadeja came in to bat in his place.

The day began steadily for the Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. Batting cautiously against the new ball in overcast English conditions, they stuck to a disciplined approach, looking to control every delivery. Their patient effort helped India reach 78 without loss by lunch. Post-lunch, Rahul (46) edged a Chris Woakes delivery outside off-stump to second slip, where Zak Crawley took a sharp catch—denying Rahul a well-deserved half-century. Gill (12) was trapped LBW by Stokes on a delivery that pitched outside off. Even a review couldn’t save him, as he didn’t offer a shot and the ball was predicted to hit off-stump.

Jaiswal, too, was solid, holding up one end with a composed 58. However, he was undone by a brilliant delivery from Liam Dawson, playing his first Test in eight years. Debutant Sai Sudharsan impressed at No. 3, registering his maiden Test fifty (61) before falling while trying to accelerate the scoring. Attempting to pull Stokes, he was caught near the boundary by Brydon Carse—although he was earlier dropped on a simple chance by keeper Jamie Smith.

Pant looked promising early in his innings, but once again showed little intent to bat conservatively. His repeated attempts at reverse sweeps against England’s pace attack raised eyebrows. He had a narrow escape once against Jofra Archer, but wasn’t as lucky against Woakes, eventually walking off injured.

After the top-order collapse, India’s innings was steadied by the two all-rounders. Jadeja (19*) and Shardul Thakur (19*) remained unbeaten at stumps. Among England’s bowlers, Stokes was the most successful, finishing with 2/47. Woakes and Dawson chipped in with a wicket each, returning figures of 1/43 and 1/45, respectively.

Despite setbacks, India will look to build on this foundation on Day 2, provided Pant’s injury doesn't worsen and the lower order can contribute effectively.