India’s young batting brigade rose to the occasion on the opening day of the fourth Test in Manchester, showcasing composure and character against a disciplined England attack. Under testing overcast skies and seam-friendly conditions, the visitors closed Day 1 on a commendable 264 for 4 — a score that highlighted their adaptability and mental toughness.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar took to social media to applaud the performance of this new-look batting order. Reflecting on the team’s growth in the post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli era, Manjrekar wrote on X, “We can do this in overcast, cold, typical English conditions, too! That’s what this Indian batting lineup is showing all of us! Another proud day for Indian cricket.”

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India’s start was solid, thanks to a steady opening partnership between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul fell just short of a deserved fifty, while Jaiswal, ever elegant, brought up another fluent half-century before perishing soon after. The return of Sai Sudharsan, replacing Karun Nair in the XI, brought some early jitters.

We can do this in overcast, cold, typical English conditions too! That’s what this Indian batting line up is showing all of us! Another proud day for Indian cricket.#INDvsENG

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 23, 2025

England immediately tested his vulnerability on the leg side — a flaw exposed in Leeds — but the youngster showed maturity beyond his years. Gritting it out, he reached a crucial 61, playing a key role in steadying the innings after back-to-back setbacks.

The biggest concern for India came in the final session when Rishabh Pant was struck on the foot by a searing yorker from Chris Woakes. Visibly in pain and unable to continue, Pant had to retire hurt on 37. The visuals showed swelling and bruising, raising fears about the extent of the damage.

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With Akash Deep and Nitish Reddy already out due to injury, Pant’s situation further compounds India’s fitness woes. Still, India’s resolve remained unshaken. With the series hanging in the balance at 2-1 in England’s favour, the visitors know that each session counts. And much like their memorable turnaround in Australia in 2020-21, this young unit is once again showing the heart to fight back when adversity knocks.