India Vs England 4th Test Day 2: Stokes Bags Five, Pant Shows Grit, And England's Top Order Dominates

By Author: micheal
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Manchester, July 25, 2025:
Day 2 of the much-anticipated India vs England 4th Test at Old Trafford was an action-packed affair featuring standout individual performances, shifting momentum, and a resilient English fightback. The day belonged to Ben Stokes, Rishabh Pant, and England’s explosive opening duo.

Pant Bats Through Injury, Becomes India’s WTC Record Holder
India resumed their innings at 326/6, looking for valuable lower-order runs. Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt on Day 1 after being struck on the toe, walked back in on Day 2—despite being diagnosed with a fractured toe.

Displaying unmatched bravery, Pant scored 54 crucial runs and helped India post a respectable 358 all out. In doing so, he also surpassed Rohit Sharma to become India’s highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history, with 2,717 runs.

Ben Stokes Returns to Peak Form with Five-Wicket Haul
England captain Ben Stokes turned the clock back with a stellar bowling performance. Delivering with reverse swing and discipline, he tore through India’s middle and lower order, finishing with figures of 5 for ...
... 72—his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket since 2017.

Stokes’ spell not only brought England back into the game but also helped him reach 200 career Test wickets, making him one of England’s greatest modern all-rounders.

England’s Openers Put India on the Backfoot
In response, Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) launched a counterattack of epic proportions. Their opening stand of 166 runs in just over 30 overs stunned the Indian bowlers, who struggled with their lines and lengths.

India’s decision to open the bowling with debutant Anshul Kamboj backfired, and despite having Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin in the lineup, England dominated the session with ease.

At the end of Day 2, England stood at 225/2, trailing by 133 runs with Joe Root (20)* and Jonny Bairstow (8)* at the crease.

Tactical Missteps by India
India's captain Shubman Gill faced criticism for questionable decisions:

Choosing Kamboj over Siraj with the new ball

Burning both reviews early in England's innings

Passive field placements during England's batting blitz

With England gaining momentum, Gill will need to regroup quickly on Day 3.

Day 2 Match Summary
India 1st Innings: 358 all out (Pant 54, Gill 77, Sarfaraz 64; Stokes 5/72)

England 1st Innings: 225/2 (Duckett 94, Crawley 84; Root 20*)

England trail by 133 runs

What to Expect on Day 3
England will aim for a first-innings lead and build scoreboard pressure.

India must strike early with the second new ball and dry up runs.

All eyes on Ashwin and Bumrah to turn the tide.

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