England Reduces India Lead Amid Pant Injury in Manchester Test

In the fourth Test match at Old Trafford, England and India experienced a tense contest marked by significant individual performances and injury setbacks. India posted a first innings total of 358, bolstered by a resilient 54 from an injured Rishabh Pant, who played despite a serious foot injury sustained while attempting a reverse sweep, which may rule him out of the series. England responded strongly, with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley rapidly eroding India's lead, reaching 77-0 by the second day's tea. Earlier, India had started well with a 94-run opening partnership but lost momentum due to early wickets, including the dismissals of KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and captain Shubman Gill. England's captain Ben Stokes made a key impact with a five-wicket haul, helping shift the match's balance. Pant's injury, occurring at a crucial juncture, dealt a psychological and tactical blow to India, who had fought hard to maintain their position before the setback.