The opening day of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford delivered a compelling narrative of momentum shifts, individual brilliance, and tactical nous. What began as a dominant display by India’s openers gradually tilted back towards England by the tea interval, with the hosts dismissing three key Indian batsmen in the second session to claw their way into the contest.
India, after being invited to bat first in cloudy, swing-friendly conditions, began confidently and methodically, thanks to a 94-run stand between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. But a sharp spell of pressure and disciplined bowling by England—featuring impactful performances from Chris Woakes, the returning Liam Dawson, and captain Ben Stokes—reined in the visitors. At tea, India had reached 149 for 3, their solid platform partially undone by a flurry of wickets and a slowdown in scoring.
That's that for Day 1 in Manchester 🤝 pic.twitter.com/AI7tULZqYm
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 23, 2025
Rahul and Jaiswal Withstand Morning Assault
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal displayed maturity and technical discipline during the opening session. England’s pace trio extracted movement under overcast skies, but the Indian openers were resolute. They left judiciously, played late, and resisted the temptation to drive loosely—a significant improvement over earlier innings in the series.
Rahul, showing signs of his previous success in English conditions, notched up a personal milestone by becoming just the fifth Indian to reach 1,000 Test runs in England. He was composed, playing each ball on merit and waiting patiently for anything overpitched. Jaiswal, on the other hand, blended caution with authority, curbing his natural aggression and committing to long-form batting in tough conditions.
By lunch, India were 94 without loss, and England’s decision to bowl first appeared under scrutiny. However, the surface, which offered enough for both seam and spin, was still unpredictable—and England’s response after the break was decisive.
England’s Counterattack Reshapes the Session
The second session belonged to England. With mounting pressure and tighter field placements, England finally broke the Indian opening stand in the 31st over. Chris Woakes, maintaining a probing line outside off stump, got Rahul to feather an edge to third slip while attempting an ill-judged push off the back foot. Rahul’s 46 was valuable, but his dismissal sparked a chain of events that put England on top.
Liam Dawson’s introduction proved to be a masterstroke. Making his first Test appearance since 2017, the left-arm spinner was drafted in to replace the injured Shoaib Bashir and immediately made his presence felt. Bowling with subtle flight and consistent control, Dawson deceived the well-set Jaiswal, who edged to slip for 58 while trying to defend. It was a key breakthrough—Jaiswal had looked set for a much bigger innings—and it marked Dawson’s first wicket in six years.
Ben Stokes then joined the action with a fiery spell of seam bowling that culminated in the dismissal of Shubman Gill. Stokes, full of intensity, hit the perfect length as Gill shouldered arms to a ball that jagged back and struck him flush on the pads. The England captain’s appeal was initially turned down, but a desperate review saw the decision overturned. Gill’s lean patch in the series continued; his latest scores of 16, 6, and 12 underline a worrying trend for the Indian No. 3.
With three top-order wickets down in quick succession, India’s momentum had clearly stalled. England’s bowlers tightened the screws, cutting down the scoring rate to under three runs per over and starving India of easy runs. The hosts’ strategy to play the long game with relentless pressure paid off, and the match now stands delicately poised.
Dawson’s Impact and England’s Bowling Discipline
Dawson’s comeback performance not only filled the void left by Bashir but also added a layer of stability to England’s attack. His economy rate of three per over through the afternoon showcased his ability to build pressure from one end, allowing Stokes and Woakes to attack from the other.
Moreover, Dawson’s control forced India’s new batter, B Sai Sudharsan, into a cautious shell. Making his Test debut under tough circumstances, Sudharsan struggled to rotate strike and was tied down effectively. He had a stroke of luck when he was dropped on 20 by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, diving to his left off Ben Stokes. The missed opportunity did not cost England much—at least not immediately—but it underlined how every chance matters in a closely contested Test.
England’s bowlers, particularly Woakes and Stokes, found movement throughout the day, with the pitch offering enough for seamers who hit the right channels. Mark Wood’s express pace, while less fruitful in terms of wickets, contributed to the mounting pressure. The bowlers shared the workload efficiently, maintaining attacking fields without leaking runs.
India’s Batting Plans at a Crossroads
India’s strategy now faces its first major test. With the middle order exposed and the top three back in the pavilion, much will depend on how the next pair—Sai Sudharsan and the experienced Ajinkya Rahane—can navigate the final session of day one. The pitch has not shown significant signs of deterioration, but variable bounce and lateral movement persist.
The need for a first-innings score in excess of 300 looms large. England, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on the inroads made during the second session. With confidence high, they may choose to attack further in the final phase of the day, especially as the new ball edges closer.
India’s lower middle order, while competent, lacks the assurance offered by top-order partnerships. Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant can counterattack, but their contributions are typically most effective when arriving at the crease with a foundation in place—not under pressure.
Strategic Significance of Day One Momentum
The tone of the series has repeatedly shifted with the performance on Day One, and this match is no exception. Historically, Old Trafford has favored teams that assert dominance early with the bat. However, England’s recovery today, sparked by shrewd bowling changes and tactical fielding, has once again turned a favorable Indian position into a tight contest.
The hosts will be particularly pleased with the manner in which they bounced back after an uneventful first session. Each wicket was the result of sustained pressure and sharp execution, rather than a moment of brilliance or sheer luck. That level of control and calculation bodes well for their continued fight in the series.
Tea Scorecard Summary
India – 149/3 (53 Overs)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – 58 (8 fours)
- KL Rahul – 46 (7 fours)
- Shubman Gill – 12 (lbw Stokes)
- B Sai Sudharsan – 20*
- Ajinkya Rahane – 3*
Fall of Wickets:
1-94 (Rahul, 31.0 ov)
2-122 (Jaiswal, 41.3 ov)
3-135 (Gill, 47.5 ov)
England Bowling Figures:
- Chris Woakes – 10-2-33-1
- Liam Dawson – 7-1-21-1
- Ben Stokes – 6-2-20-1
- Mark Wood – 10-1-34-0
- James Anderson – 9-2-27-0
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Stumps on the opening day of the 4th Test in Manchester!
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2025
115 runs in the final session as #TeamIndia reach 264/4 at the end of Day 1.
Join us tomorrow for Day 2 Action 🏟️
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/L1EVgGu4SI#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/1KcCixeW7Q
What Lies Ahead: Evening Session and Beyond
With two full sessions still to be played across the next four days, both teams will be aware that the contest is finely balanced. India will aim to build a platform for a score that puts England under pressure with the bat, especially on a surface that could deteriorate as the game progresses.
England, meanwhile, have seized the psychological edge heading into the final session of Day One. If they manage to pick up a couple more wickets before stumps, they’ll walk off the field with full confidence of taking control of this Test match.
In a series already full of narrative twists, the next few hours could once again redefine the trajectory of both teams. England’s fightback has been spirited and clinical. Now it’s India’s turn to respond with composure and counterpunching.
The drama at Old Trafford is only beginning to unfold—and it promises to be a gripping battle for supremacy.
