England dominate Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford with a complete all-round effort. Ben Stokes’ five-wicket haul and a stunning 166-run stand between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley gave the hosts full control. Despite Rishabh Pant’s brave 54 and late resistance from the Indian lower-order, England dominate proceedings and closed the day at 225/2, trailing by just 133 runs.

🔥 England Dominate With Stokes’ First Test Fifer Since 2017

Resuming on 264/6, India hoped to stretch their total, but England quickly took charge. Jofra Archer removed Ravindra Jadeja, before Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar added a fighting 48 runs. Thakur looked fluent for his 41 before falling to Stokes, who soon wrapped up the tail.

A big moment came as Rishabh Pant returned to bat, having retired hurt due to a foot fracture. Though limping, he stayed composed and reached a 69-ball half-century, hitting Archer for a six and Stokes for a four. But Pant’s resistance ended as Archer bowled him, sparking a collapse where India lost 4 wickets for just 37 runs.

Stokes was the standout, finishing with 5/72 — his first five-for in Tests since 2017. His spell ensured England dominate with the ball, limiting India to 358.

💥 England Dominate Early With Duckett-Crawley Show

When England batted, they came out firing. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley took control immediately, scoring at nearly 5 runs an over. Debutant Anshul Kamboj struggled, conceding three early boundaries to Duckett. Crawley got going with a glance off Siraj and a clean drive past mid-on.

By the 11th over, England had already crossed 50, with both openers looking settled. Duckett reached his 50 off 46 balls, and Crawley followed with a 73-ball fifty. The pair looked untroubled, punishing loose deliveries from both pace and spin.

England dominate the middle session as well — Crawley smashed a six and four off Jadeja in his opening over, and the team raced to 100 in just 19 overs.

🧤 England Dominate Final Session Despite Late Breakthroughs

India’s moment came in the final session when Jadeja removed Crawley for 84, finding the edge for KL Rahul at slip. Duckett, who had moved into the 90s with ease, fell six short of his century as he edged Kamboj behind for 94.

However, England didn’t lose momentum. Joe Root and Ollie Pope added vital runs, guiding England past 200. Bumrah tested Root with a sharp in-ducker, but the hosts were unshaken. Root’s elegant straight drive off Kamboj and Pope’s confident handling of Bumrah’s final over showed England dominate the day’s end.

📊 Brief Scores

India 358
(Sai Sudharsan 61, Jaiswal 58, Pant 54; Stokes 5/72, Archer 3/73)
England 225/2
(Duckett 94, Crawley 84; Jadeja 1/37, Kamboj 1/48)