It was a disappointing end to Day 2 for Team India in the ongoing Manchester Test, as England finished strongly at 225/2 in reply to India’s 358. The day belonged to England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who stitched together a brilliant 166-run opening stand that pushed the Indian bowling attack on the back foot.
Ravindra Jadeja finally gave India a breakthrough late in the day, removing Crawley for 84. Shortly after, debutant Anshul Kamboj sent Duckett (94) back to the pavilion, caught behind. However, by the time India found those two wickets, England had already laid a solid foundation.
Indian Bowlers Struggle as England Batters Attack
Duckett and Crawley didn’t just survive; they counterattacked. Their aggressive approach saw England consistently score at nearly five runs per over. Mohammed Siraj (0/26 in 4 overs) and debutant Kamboj (0/29 in 5 overs) bore the brunt of the onslaught. Jasprit Bumrah too had a rough outing, giving away 22 runs in his first five overs.
Tempers briefly flared in the final session when Duckett appeared to approach the umpire with a complaint. Siraj’s visible frustration led to a heated exchange, highlighting the tension on the field.
Archer, Stokes Deliver with the Ball; Pant’s Courage Shines
Earlier in the day, India resumed their innings cautiously. England’s pace spearhead Jofra Archer struck early, removing Ravindra Jadeja for 20. Shardul Thakur fought hard, scoring a patient 41 before falling to Ben Stokes just as he looked set.
But the moment that stole Indian hearts came when Rishabh Pant walked out to bat despite limping in clear pain. The crowd at Old Trafford roared in appreciation as the courageous wicketkeeper took guard. His short but spirited stay lifted the morale of the fans and underlined his fighting spirit.
Day 3 Awaits with India Seeking Momentum
With England just 133 runs behind and eight wickets in hand, the pressure is now firmly on India. The bowlers will need to find early breakthroughs on Day 3 to claw their way back into the match. Otherwise, England could take complete control of this crucial Test.
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