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The India tour of England in 2025 has witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Day 4 at Old Trafford, with Chris Woakes's early strikes leaving the Indian batting lineup in tatters. England, led by a magnificent century from Ben Stokes, have seized complete control of the match, building a formidable 311-run lead. Stokes's aggressive approach, supported by contributions from the lower order, propelled England to a mammoth total, putting immense pressure on the Indian batsmen. The overcast conditions seemed to favor the English bowlers, as Woakes exploited the swing and seam movement to dismiss the Indian openers cheaply. India now faces an uphill battle to save the Test match, requiring a herculean effort from their remaining batsmen to chase down the imposing target. The momentum is firmly with England, and their bowlers will be eager to capitalize on the early breakthroughs and wrap up the Indian innings quickly. The match is delicately poised, and the remaining days promise to be filled with excitement and drama.
England's dominance on Day 4 was largely built upon the foundation laid by Ben Stokes's remarkable innings. The English captain, who had also taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings, showcased his all-round prowess by smashing a brilliant century, his first in 25 months. Stokes's aggressive batting style, characterized by powerful strokes and innovative shot selection, put the Indian bowlers under immense pressure. He took the attack to the spinners, hitting them for sixes and fours with impunity. Stokes's century not only boosted England's total but also lifted the morale of the team. His partnership with the lower-order batsmen, particularly Brydon Carse, further frustrated the Indian bowlers. The duo added quick runs, extending England's lead to over 300. Stokes's innings was a masterclass in Test match batting, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different situations and lead from the front. He joined an elite club of allrounders with 7000 runs and 200 wickets in the format, alongside Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis cementing his place as one of the game's greats.
The Indian bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, struggled to contain the English batsmen on Day 4. Bumrah, who is usually known for his accuracy and control, had a rare off-day, leaking runs and failing to pick up crucial wickets. He registered the dubious record of leaking a 100-plus runs for the first time in his 48-Test career. Siraj, too, was unable to make a significant impact, as Stokes and the other English batsmen took the attack to him. The Indian spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, also found it difficult to stem the flow of runs. Stokes targeted them specifically, using his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and hitting them over the boundary. Jadeja did manage to pick up a few wickets, but he was also expensive, conceding over 140 runs in his spell. Sundar, on the other hand, struggled to trouble the English batsmen, as they easily picked him off for runs. The Indian bowlers will need to regroup and come up with a better plan for the remaining days of the Test match if they are to have any chance of restricting England's scoring.
Chris Woakes's early strikes with the ball have put India in a precarious position. The right-arm seamer, who is known for his ability to swing the ball, exploited the overcast conditions to dismiss the Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan, cheaply. Both left-handers were caught in two minds as they ended up edging the ball to first and second slip respectively. Woakes's double-wicket maiden pushed India firmly on the backfoot even before they could get off the mark in their second innings. India captain Shubman Gill survived an LBW shout facing the hat-trick ball, before playing out the remaining two overs quietly. His spell has given England a significant advantage, and their bowlers will be eager to capitalize on the early breakthroughs. Woakes's performance has highlighted the importance of seam bowling in English conditions, and he will be a key factor in England's bid to win the Test match. The Indian batsmen will need to be wary of his movement and bounce, and they will need to show greater application and determination if they are to withstand the English attack.
In conclusion, England have taken complete control of the Test match against India at Old Trafford, thanks to Ben Stokes's magnificent century and Chris Woakes's early strikes with the ball. England's aggressive batting approach, combined with their disciplined bowling, has put India under immense pressure. India now faces a herculean task to save the Test match, requiring a massive effort from their remaining batsmen to chase down the imposing target. The momentum is firmly with England, and they will be confident of wrapping up the Indian innings quickly and securing a comprehensive victory. The remaining days of the Test match promise to be filled with excitement and drama, as India fights to stay in the game and England pushes for a win. The match is a testament to the brilliance of Test cricket, showcasing the skill, determination, and resilience of the players on both sides.