Key Points

Ben Stokes delivered a remarkable bowling performance by taking 5 wickets and restricting India to 358 runs. Rishabh Pant emerged as the hero, scoring a brave 54 despite a fractured foot, showcasing exceptional determination. The second day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford was filled with intense cricket and individual brilliance. Jofra Archer also played a significant role by claiming 3 crucial wickets.

Key Points: Stokes Dominates Pant's Brave 54 in India's Test Battle

  • Stokes claims first five-wicket haul in eight years
  • Pant bats heroically with fractured foot
  • India bowled out for 358 at Old Trafford
  • Jofra Archer takes crucial 3 wickets
2 min read

4th Test: Stokes picks 5-72 to restrict India for 358 despite Pant's courageous 54

Ben Stokes takes 5 wickets while Rishabh Pant scores courageous 54 despite foot injury in thrilling Manchester Test match

"A knock which will be talked about for ages to come - Match Commentary"

Manchester, July 24

Skipper Ben Stokes grabbed 5-72 as he took the lead for England to bowl India out for 358 in 114.1 overs on day two of fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Countering England's better show with the ball was Rishabh Pant astonishing everyone by coming out to bat despite a fractured fifth metatarsal in the right foot and hitting a brave 54 off 75 balls - a knock which will be talked for ages to come.

Pant, who retired hurt on 37 after the painful blow to the foot on day one, added 17 more runs to India's total and that meant they managed to cross 350-run mark on a pitch which could prove to be a handful for the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj.

The second session began with Washington Sundar getting a healthy edge off Stokes for four, before he hooked a short ball straight to Chris Woakes to deep fine leg and fall for 27 off 90 balls. Stokes completed his first five-wicket haul in eight years when his outswinger took an edge of Kamboj's bat and was caught safely by Jamie Smith.

Pant finally got the timing right when he nailed a pull off Archer for six and reached his 18th Test fifty in 69 balls by reaching out to Stokes' wide ball and sent it cracking through cover for four. But for the second consecutive time, Archer sent Pant's off-stump on a cartwheel ride, as hit gutsy knock came to an end at 54 off 75 balls and received rousing reception from the spectators.

Siraj and Bumrah hanged around to hit a boundary each, before the latter swung a leg-side delivery off Archer and the ball was caught by Smith. After Root persuaded to go for a review, that proved to be a shrewd move as a nick was detected and resulted in India's innings coming to an end, with Archer taking 3-73.

Brief Scores: India 358 in 114.1 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 5-72, Jofra Archer 3-73) against England

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Stokes showing why he's one of the best all-rounders in the world right now. 5 wickets after 8 years - what a comeback! England definitely has the upper hand now.
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Ananya R
While Pant's innings was heroic, our tailenders need to show more application. 350 is decent but we should have crossed 400 with the start we got. Bowling needs to be spot on now!
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Vikram M
That Pant-Archer duel was 🔥! Archer sending the off-stump flying twice in two days - some serious pace bowling. Hope Pant recovers soon though, we need him fit for the next matches.
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Michael C
As an England fan, I must say Pant's innings was special. But credit to our bowlers - Stokes leading from the front and Archer showing why he's so dangerous. This Test is beautifully poised!
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Priya S
The real test begins now! Our bowlers need to step up big time. Bumrah and Siraj must make the ball talk on this pitch. 350 is defendable if we bowl with discipline 🇮🇳
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Karthik V
Mixed feelings about this innings. Great fight from Pant and top order, but disappointed with middle order collapse. Hope team management takes note before the next match

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