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Cricket returned to Manchester as England and India locked horns on July 23, 2025, for the pivotal 4th Test at Old Trafford. With the series delicately poised at 2-1 in England’s favor, both sides entered the contest fully aware of the stakes. England, buoyed by their dramatic win at Lord’s, elected to field first after Ben Stokes won the toss, challenging India to weather the classic English conditions and, perhaps more crucially, the relentless home attack spearheaded by Jofra Archer.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s audacious ramp off Jofra Archer leaves Old Trafford gasping
The moment of the morning belonged to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who produced a shot stitched for highlight reels against the fiery pace of Archer. In the 24th over, Archer zipped in a short ball that seemed to hurry Jaiswal. Initially, Jaiswal appeared to duck, knees buckling as he sank low, only to leave his bat hanging instinctively. What followed was pure theatre: off the middle of the bat, the ball arched—a ramp cut if ever there was one—soaring above a stunned wicketkeeper and whistling to the fence for four.
It wasn’t textbook; it wasn’t rehearsed. But it was sheer ingenuity—instinct meeting precision. Even the commentators were left asking, “What just happened there?” Such moments define careers and electrify Test cricket. Jaiswal, previously troubled by Archer’s pace in this series, showed not only courage but also innovation, riding his luck and talent in equal measure.
Here’s the video:
Lost the balance, not the timing. Just a gentle touch from #YashasviJaiswal — and it races away for four! 🙌#ENGvIND 👉 4th TEST, DAY 1 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/0VxBWU8ocO pic.twitter.com/SQOTg1fQUs
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 23, 2025
Indian openers stand tall in the morning session against England
If Jaiswal’s ramp was the morning’s exclamation mark, the preceding hours showcased a template of disciplined Test match opening. The Indian openers—Jaiswal and KL Rahul—knuckled down against a new ball that teased and danced in overcast Manchester. England’s bowlers, especially Chris Woakes and Archer, probed expertly, but India’s pair stood firm. Jaiswal mixed caution with exuberance, collecting boundaries when the bowlers erred, while Rahul played the anchor, ensuring India didn’t lose an early wicket on a spicy pitch.
India reached drinks at 42/0 after 14 overs, steadily advancing to 50 in the 18th over. The opening partnership’s synergy was exemplary, with both batters rotating the strike and pouncing on scoring opportunities. At lunch, India were 78/0 in 26 overs, Jaiswal unbeaten on 36 and Rahul on 40.
The scoreboard by the break reflected a statement: 78 runs without loss, the last 10 overs fetching 31 run with no wickets surrendered. It marked just the second wicketless morning for India in this series—testament to the duo’s self-assurance and composure.
Also WATCH: Chris Woakes delivers a monster ball that almost destroys Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat on Day 1 of Manchester Test
