England ended Day 2 of the fourth Test against India in a strong position at 225/2, trailing the visitors’ first-innings total of 358 by just 133 runs. An explosive 166-run opening partnership between Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) set the tone for a dominant reply on a sunlit Manchester pitch.
India, having posted a competitive total anchored by Rishabh Pant’s valiant 54 and countered by Ben Stokes’ five-wicket haul, saw their bowlers struggle under the brighter conditions that favoured England’s top order. The new ball failed to find movement, and the aggressive duo of Crawley and Duckett made full use of the opportunity.
Duckett reached his fifty off just 46 balls with a series of crisp boundaries, while Crawley followed with a steady half-century of his own. The duo’s relentless approach saw England rocket past the 150-mark in quick time, matching India’s boundary count well before the halfway point of the innings.
India finally found a breakthrough after tea when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Crawley with a well-flighted delivery that took the edge. Debutant Anshul Kamboj soon followed up with his maiden Test wicket, removing Duckett just six runs short of a deserved century. Despite the twin setbacks, Joe Root (11)* and Ollie Pope (20)* safely guided England to stumps without further damage.
Earlier, India’s innings resumed from 302/7, adding 56 more runs before being bowled out. Rishabh Pant’s gritty 54, scored while battling a foot injury, gave India crucial lower-order runs. Stokes led England’s bowling effort with 5/73, while Archer took 3 wickets, exploiting the morning’s overcast conditions effectively.
The shift in weather after lunch—transforming into clear skies—proved pivotal. England’s openers capitalised on the eased conditions and India’s inconsistent lengths, racing along at more than four runs an over. While England were tested briefly after the fall of the openers, their current batsmen looked settled and composed.
Heading into Day 3, England are well placed to overtake India’s total and build a significant lead. For India, early wickets are essential to keep the game from slipping out of their hands. With the pitch still playing true and the weather expected to stay clear, the match is now set for a gripping third day that could decide the direction of the series.