Rohan Chowdhury in Manchester
On a gloomy morning in Manchester, it was a crucial toss to win – and Ben Stokes did just that, opting to bowl first under overcast conditions. With the ball expected to swing and seam, it was a testing period for the Indian openers. Yet, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul defied expectations, guiding India to a solid 78 without loss by lunch on Day 1 of the 4th Test against England.
Chris Woakes opened the attack for England, with Jaiswal on strike. The left-hand batter had a nervy start, edging one in the very first over, though it fell short of second slip. That brief scare aside, Jaiswal quickly settled in, showcasing a disciplined approach. Known for his pre-session throwdowns, today he took a different route – practising his leaves rather than his defence. His judgment outside off stump was impeccable, a vital skill on a pitch offering variable bounce.
Rahul, in sparkling form this series, continued his purple patch. Calm and composed, he blunted the English attack with ease, smothering movement and rotating strike smartly. Together, the duo stitched a partnership built on patience, technique, and calculated risk.
Jofra Archer and Woakes made the most of the early morning breeze, trying to generate movement through the air. But the Indian openers, unflustered, soaked up the pressure. About 41% of the deliveries in the first ten overs were full-length, attempting to draw a mistake. However, the batters stood firm. Brydon Carse replaced Archer after a probing opening spell but couldn’t break through either.
India maintained a conservative run-rate of around 2.5 an over but began accelerating slightly as the session progressed, and brought it up to 3.0 by lunch. The pitch at Old Trafford offered enough to keep bowlers interested, but the visitors’ cautious start ensured no early damage.
Given the conditions, it was expected that England’s pace battery would make early inroads. But by lunch, it was India who had the upper hand, thanks to a composed and technically sound opening partnership between Jaiswal and Rahul, one that certainly tilted the session in India’s favour.
Brief scores at Lunch: India 78-0 (Rahul 40*, Jaiswal 36*)
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