England vs India – 4th Test Day 1 Live Blog 🏏
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Date: Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Time: Play began at around 11am local time ESPN Cricinfo+15ESPN Cricinfo+15The Times of India+15
🎙️ Toss & Team News
- England captain Ben Stokes won yet another toss — his fourth consecutive in the series — and opted to field under overcast skies, hoping for early swing/seam movement The Times+3The Guardian+3The Times of India+3.
- India, trailing 1–2 in the series, made three changes to the XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shardul Thakur, and debutant Anshul Kamboj were included Wikipedia+4The Guardian+4The Times of India+4. Notably, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav was left out.
🌤 Morning Session (Approx. 11:00–13:00)
- Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer opened strong.
- India began steadily: 3rd over at 10/0, then 5/0 — Yashasvi Jaiswal stroked a couple of edges down the rope early India+14The Guardian+14India Today+14ESPN Cricinfo+11The Times+11ESPN Cricinfo+11.
- Subtle debates flared around over rates and pace vs. spin fielding delays The Times of India+14The Guardian+14ESPN Cricinfo+14.
🌞 Midday Session (Post 13:40 Lunch)
- India showed cautious aggression, playing out the tough period until lunch.
- No wickets yet; the openers built a cautious partnership in response to England’s fielding pressure.
🌇 Afternoon Session (15:40–16:00 Tea)
- India reached around 36/0 by tea as the partnership held firm.
- Some tight overs from the seamers kept the run rate in check — a good platform was being laid.
🌙 Final Session (16:00–18:00)
- As conditions eased slightly, India closed the day on 24/1 (at stumps), trailing by 181 runs India Today+5Wikipedia+5The Indian Express+5The Times of India+3Hindustan Times+3The Times of India+3.
- The lone wicket: Shubman Gill was dismissed for a duck by James Anderson — a result of a tight review and precise bowling Cricbuzz+11Hindustan Times+11The Times of India+11.
📊 Day 1 Summary
| Team | Progress | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| India | 24/1 at stumps | Shubman Gill dismissed for duck |
| England | Fielded first | Chose bowl after winning toss |
| Conditions | Overcast, swing-friendly | Slight rain threat but dry play |
🔍 What It Means
- England maintain momentum with a strong bowling start and early strike.
- India’s reply has been conservative but composed — losing Gill is a blow, but early wickets avoided indicate fight.
- With 4 days ahead (weather permitting), the match remains finely balanced.
✅ What to Watch Tomorrow (Day 2 Preview)
- Will India build a solid partnership with Jaiswal and K.L. Rahul after Gill’s dismissal?
- Can England strike early again and tilt momentum?
- Is the overcast morning favoring swing bowlers — or will turners like Dawson and Armstrong play a role?
✍️ Wrap-up
Day 1 at Old Trafford saw a tight contest: England’s smart bowling campaign paid off with an early breakthrough, while India’s disciplined batting kept them in the hunt. Tomorrow’s play could swing things dramatically. Stay tuned for further live updates, analysis, and expert commentary as the series unfolds.
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