India vs England 4th Test, Day 2: England Dominate with Crawley-Duckett Show

On July 24, 2025, Day 2 of the 4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, saw England take control against India in the ongoing five-match series. With England leading 2-1, this match is pivotal for India to level the series. Here's a quick recap of the action-packed day.

England’s Batting Masterclass

Resuming their first innings, England’s openers Zak Crawley (78) and Ben Duckett (94) stole the show, forging a commanding 166-run partnership. Duckett’s aggressive strokeplay and Crawley’s steady approach put India’s bowlers under pressure. By stumps, England reached 209/2 after 41 overs, trailing India’s first-innings total of 358 by 149 runs. Ollie Pope (16*) and Joe Root (6*) remained unbeaten, setting the stage for Day 3.

India’s Bowling Struggles

India’s bowlers toiled, with debutant Anshul Kamboj providing a breakthrough by dismissing Duckett for his maiden Test wicket. Ravindra Jadeja also struck, removing Crawley, but the damage was done. India’s attack, including Jasprit Bumrah, needs to regroup to curb England’s momentum on a pitch showing signs of uneven bounce.

Key Moments

Crawley-Duckett Partnership: A 166-run stand that dominated India’s bowlers.

Kamboj’s Maiden Wicket: The debutant dismissed Duckett, caught at slip.

Pant’s Injury Concern: Rishabh Pant’s ongoing injury limited his contribution, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in as wicketkeeper.

What’s Next?

With England in a strong position, India must strike early on Day 3 to avoid falling further behind. The pitch’s increasing challenges could favor India’s bowlers if they exploit it well.

Stay tuned for more as this thrilling Test unfolds!