Manchester: Sai Sudharsan impressed with a composed 61, while Yashasvi Jaiswal laid the foundation with a brisk 58 as India reached 264 for 4 at stumps on the opening day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford here on Wednesday.
Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur (19 each*) remained unbeaten as bad light curtailed play after 83 overs.
Opting to bat first after being put in by England captain Ben Stokes, India were off to a strong start with Jaiswal and K L Rahul (46) adding 94 runs for the first wicket before England clawed back with key wickets in the middle sessions.
Jaiswal, who brought up his 50 off 96 balls with an elegant single, looked in ominous touch as he collected 10 boundaries and a six in his 58-run knock. His partnership with Rahul held firm through the morning session, but Chris Woakes broke through after lunch with a delivery that kissed Rahul’s outside edge and flew to Zak Crawley at slip.
England’s comeback gathered steam when left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, playing his first Test in eight years, dismissed Jaiswal with a delivery that drifted and straightened, inducing an edge to slip where Harry Brook completed the catch.
India captain Shubman Gill tried to counterattack but was dismissed for 12 by Ben Stokes, trapped leg-before by a delivery that jagged back in. Gill's review proved futile, as replays confirmed the ball hitting off-stump.
Rishabh Pant joined Sai Sudharsan at the crease and the duo steadied the innings, adding 50 for the fourth wicket. Pant was his typical aggressive self, sweeping Jofra Archer for four and smashing Brydon Carse for a massive six over long-on.
Pant survived a reverse sweep LBW review and later miscued a loft off Liam Dawson that flew past a confused Stokes at mid-off. However, his innings was cut short at 37 after being struck on the elbow by a sharp Wood bouncer in the 68th over, forcing him to retire hurt.
Sai Sudharsan, meanwhile, exhibited maturity and patience. He brought up his maiden Test 50 in style with a cracking cover drive off Joe Root and played a series of confident strokes including a back-foot punch off Stokes and pulls off Archer and Carse. He eventually fell for 61 (151 balls, 7 fours), top-edging a short ball from Stokes to Brydon Carse at fine leg.
India were 212 for 3 when Pant retired hurt, and the 250 came up in the 78th over as the lower-middle order consolidated. Ravindra Jadeja launched Root over the non-striker for four, punched Stokes through the cordon, and tonked Dawson over mid-on. Shardul Thakur too joined the act with a series of authoritative strokes, driving Root down the ground, pulling Stokes off the back foot, and steering Dawson into the gaps.
The pair added a crucial unbeaten 29-run partnership as India ended the day at 264/4. England’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the middle phases, but India’s depth ensured a solid total heading into Day 2.
Brief scores at stumps – Day 1:
India: 264/4 in 83 overs (Jaiswal 58, KL Rahul 46, Sai Sudharsan 61, Rishabh Pant 37 retired hurt; Liam Dawson 1/45, B Stokes 2/47, Chris Woakes 1/43).
