Day 2 at Old Trafford was full of surprises. Zak Crawley scored 84 runs for England. Rishabh Pant batted bravely with a fractured foot. Ben Stokes took five wickets to stun India.
The match had drama on and off the field. Crawley’s batting sparked a fiery row. Pant’s courage won hearts despite his injury. Stokes’ bowling kept England in the fight.
England ended at 225 for 2. They trail India’s 358 by 133 runs. The game is heating up fast. Fans are excited for what’s next.
This article covers all the big moments. We’ll look at Crawley’s runs and controversy. Plus, Pant’s grit and Stokes’ magic. Let’s jump into the action.
Day 2 Timeline – 4th Test, Old Trafford (ENG vs IND)
Date: July 24, 2025
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Status: England trail India by 133 runs with 8 wickets in hand
🕘 Session 1: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (India 321/6 to 358 all out)
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11:00 AM – Play resumes with India on 321/6
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11:15 AM – Archer removes Jadeja in his first over
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11:40 AM – Thakur shows resistance, builds 48-run stand with Washington
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11:55 AM – Ben Stokes removes Shardul Thakur for 41
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12:00 PM – Rishabh Pant walks out to bat with a fractured foot, evoking a standing ovation
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12:15 PM – Archer bowls a beautiful spell but finds no luck
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12:30 PM – Pant scores a brave half-century on one leg
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12:40 PM – Rain halts play; early lunch taken at India 321/6
🕑 Session 2: 1:40 PM – 3:40 PM (India all out, England 77/0 at Tea)
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1:40 PM – Play resumes
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1:50 PM – Pant hits a six to equal Sehwag’s Test record (90 sixes)
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2:00 PM – Jofra Archer gets Pant caught behind for 54 (7th lefty he dismissed this series)
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2:20 PM – India bowled out for 358
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2:30 PM – England innings begins
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2:35 PM – Ben Duckett starts fluently with 3 boundaries in Kamboj’s debut over
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2:50 PM – Crawley slow start: takes 13 balls to get off the mark
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3:15 PM – Duckett races to 50 (off 50 balls, 7 fours, all on leg side)
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3:30 PM – Crawley reaches his half-century too
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3:40 PM – Tea: England 77/0, trail by 281
🕓 Session 3: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (England 225/2 at Stumps)
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4:10 PM – England start post-tea with aggressive intent
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4:20 PM – England reach 100 inside 21 overs
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4:40 PM – Crawley brings up his 84 (113 balls) with 13 boundaries
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4:45 PM – Jadeja bowls Crawley with a no-ball → next ball Crawley edges to slip, OUT
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5:10 PM – Duckett reaches 94 but edges behind off Kamboj → OUT (maiden Test wicket)
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5:25 PM – Joe Root and Ollie Pope steady things, run rate hovers around 4.89
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5:45 PM – Minor dip in scoring, only 1 run between overs 41-44
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6:00 PM – Stumps: England 225/2, trail by 133
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Root 28*, Pope 27*
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Day dominated by England after Stokes’ five-for and strong top-order showing
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🔥 Key Performances – Day 2
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🏏 Ben Stokes: 5 wickets – first Test five-for since 2017
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🩼 Rishabh Pant: 54 (with fractured foot) – immense bravery
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💯 Crawley & Duckett: 50+ each, 100+ opening stand
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🌟 Anshul Kamboj: Maiden wicket on debut (Duckett for 94)
Crawley’s Big Day and Fiery Clash
Zak Crawley shone bright for England. He made 84 runs off 124 balls. His knock gave England a strong start. They reached 225 for 2 by stumps.
But Crawley also stirred up trouble. At Lord’s, he clashed with Shubman Gill. Gill accused him of wasting time. Crawley loved the eight-minute spat.
“I enjoyed that little passage,” Crawley said. He denied delaying the game on purpose. Gill called it against the spirit of the game. Crawley just smiled and moved on.
His batting was smooth and steady. He took deep breaths to stay calm. “I play best when relaxed,” he said. It worked—he scored big against India.
Crawley and Ben Duckett added 166 runs. Their partnership rocked India’s bowlers. Check it out in the India vs. England Match Scorecard. Crawley’s day was a game-changer.
He fell to Ravindra Jadeja late. KL Rahul took a sharp catch. Still, his runs set England up nicely. The cricket controversy only added spice.
Pant’s Brave Bat Saves India
Rishabh Pant was India’s hero on Day 2. He batted with a fractured foot. His 54 runs boosted India to 358. The crowd cheered his every step.
Pant hurt his foot on Day 1. He hit it while reverse-sweeping. Yet, he came back to bat. His courage was unreal.
He smashed a six off Jofra Archer. Pant also tied Virender Sehwag’s record. He now has 90 Test sixes. Plus, he beat Alec Stewart’s mark.
Pant’s 54 came off 75 balls. He couldn’t run much, but scored fast. Read more in the India vs. Zimbabwe Scorecard. His grit lifted India’s total.
He scored 479 runs in England. That’s huge for a wicketkeeper. His bravery inspired the team. Even Stokes targeted his bad foot.
Pant’s effort wasn’t just about runs. It showed his big heart. Fans loved his Pant bravery. India needed every bit of it.
Pant’s Injury Shakes India
Pant’s injury is bad news for India. He fractured his metatarsal bone. He’ll miss the rest of the series. Dhruv Jurel takes over as keeper.
His absence weakens India’s batting. Pant is also the vice-captain. His leadership will be missed, too. But Day 2 showed his spirit.
Injuries can change games fast. See how in the South Africa vs. New Zealand Scorecard. Pant’s courage stood out. India must regroup without him.
Stokes’ Bowling Turns the Tide
Ben Stokes was on fire with the ball. He took five wickets for 72 runs. It was his first five-for in years. India crumbled to 358 all out.
Stokes mixed up his bowling smartly. He swung the ball both ways. Shardul Thakur got caught out. Washington Sundar fell to a bouncer.
He’s taken 16 wickets this series. That’s his best ever in Tests. Stokes beat his 2013-14 Ashes record. His Stokes five-wicket haul was clutch.
The crowd roared for Stokes. He also caught Pant with a dive. His all-around play was amazing. England fans loved it.
See his skills in the Australia vs. India Scorecard. Stokes follows the greats like the Godfather of Cricket. He shifted the game.
India’s tail couldn’t handle him. His last wicket was Anshul Kamboj. Stokes gave England hope. The Test match drama grew bigger.
Where does the Match stand now?
England is at 225 for 2. They trail India by 133 runs. Ben Duckett made 94 before falling. Zak Crawley’s 84 set the tone.
India’s bowlers had a rough day. Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t find his rhythm. Anshul Kamboj gave away runs fast. Mohammed Siraj was hit hard, too. Check chasing tips in the New Zealand vs. India CT 2025 Final. England has a deep lineup. India must bowl better.
Late wickets gave India a boost. Jadeja got Crawley out. Kamboj dismissed Duckett just shy of 100. England’s middle order faces pressure now.
Day 3 will be big. England wants a lead with Root and Brook. India needs quick wickets to fight back. The pitch still favors batsmen.
Duckett’s leg-side shots were fun. Crawley’s drives were pretty, too. See more in the Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh Scorecard. The cricket match analysis is thrilling.
Stokes’ Bowling Magic Shifts the Game
Ben Stokes stole the show with bowling. He grabbed five wickets in one innings. His figures were 5 for 72. This broke India’s batting flow.
Stokes swung the ball both ways. He dismissed Shardul Thakur early. Washington Sundar fell to a catch. His bouncers troubled the batsmen.
Kamboj edged to the slips. Stokes’ bowling performance was outstanding. India’s total stayed at 358. He turned the game around.
Fans roared for every wicket. His energy boosted England’s spirit. Read more in Australia vs. South Africa. Stokes loves big moments.
His spell beat his old best. He has 16 wickets now. India’s tail collapsed quickly. The Stokes five-wicket haul was epic.
Crawley and Duckett’s Big Opening Stand
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett shone. They built a 166-run stand. England’s innings started strong. India’s bowlers struggled to stop them.
Crawley scored 84 off 124 balls. Duckett made 94 off 100. Both played aggressive shots. Their batting partnership set the tone.
Duckett flicked to leg often. Crawley drove through the covers. Bumrah couldn’t break them early. Siraj leaked runs too.
Jadeja got Crawley out late. Kamboj ended Duckett’s knock. See it in India Women vs. England Women Scorecard. England still trails by 133.
Root and Pope can build more. India needs wickets fast. Day 3 will be exciting. The Test match drama grows.
Conclusion
Day 2 at Old Trafford was a blast. Zak Crawley’s 84 runs rocked India. Rishabh Pant’s brave 54 stole the show. Ben Stokes’ five wickets kept England alive.
The game is tight and exciting. England trails by 133 at 225 for 2. India’s late wickets sparked hope. Both teams are ready for a big Day 3.
Crawley’s clash added extra fun. Pant’s heart won everyone over. Stokes proved he’s a star. This Test cricket match has it all.
What’s next? England could take the lead. India might strike back hard. Stay tuned for more action. The Manchester Test is heating up.
