Rishabh Pant's fighting fifty, alongside determined contributions from Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, propelled India past 350 runs; however, they lost 4 wickets for 37 runs in just over 9 overs during the second session of Day 2 in the Manchester Test. Skipper Ben Stokes continued his hot form for England, completing his 5th fifer as they bundled India out for 358. England's openers raced to 77 without loss at tea, exceeding 5 runs per over at the Indian bowling discipline's surrender. Bumrah had Zak Crawley restrained battling against a mix of away-going and incoming balls. He had debutant Anshul Kamboj come on to share the new ball, but Kamboj’s costly venture targeting Ben Duckett’s pads quickly backfired as he shipped 3 fours. Duckett also picked off Bumrah’s balls on the pads for boundaries. Crawley glanced a Mohammed Siraj for his first four and then played on the up through cover for another boundary. England fully capitalized and got past 50 in 11 overs.Crawley, who was losing to Duckett, got into his rhythm with two successive fours off Siraj and survived a review from India after shouldering arms. Replays showed that the ball was going over the stumps. Kamboj returned and Duckett hit him for a four. Crawley elegantly drove Siraj for a four as well. Crawley was 33 and Duckett 43 as both finished Tea unbeaten with the partnership and the lead trimmed to 281. With the second new ball, Jofra Archer claimed the scalp of Ravindra Jadeja, and India crossed 300 due to a 48-run partnership between Thakur and Washington. While Thakur was attacking the loose deliveries, both batters were very cautious for most of their partnership as they kept England at bay despite the helpful conditions for the bowlers. But the partnership ended when Thakur edged Stokes to gully for 41. Sundar, who took his time to settle in, bringing 300 for India with a boundary.An ovation greeted the Indian wicket-keeper, Rishabh, as he jagged past the boundary. He was cheered as he came into the ground after retiring hurt on Day 1 with 37 runs to his name. His injury was a foot fracture. In company of Sundar, he struggled through the remainder of the match. India managed to secure a score of 321/6 by the end of Lunch. England’s bowlers continues to keep pressure on the batters requiring them to move. England managed to grab 57 runs through 23 overs. In the later interval, Shahab started both the last over sessions with sustained pressure aimed at Pant’s lower body. This gave rise to a few leg byes but also Sundar sneaking a delicate touch over the slip. Sundar’s touch was intermittent with Stokes also managing to score. Stokes on the other hand was not forgiving as he brutally dismissed Sundar. Pant’s retribution strategy by indiscriminately playing with his bat managed to give Stokes his 4th wicket. He was caught at fine leg trying to play a pull. Kamboj not doing much better after was forced to give a catch to Stokes as he completed his 5 wicket haul after dismissing Kamboj for a duck.Further on in the contest, Pant seemed to be on track to get a competitive fifty as he hit a four of Stokes and a six of Archer, bringing his fifty in just 69 balls. Sadly, he got out not long after to an Archer beauty. As Siraj hit a boundary over Stokes head, Bumrah was dismissed caught behind to a pull shot he tried to execute on a delivery from Archer. Sir Root convinced his captain to go for a review.Brief scores: India 358 (Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Rishabh Pant 54; Ben Stokes 5-72, Jofra Archer 3-73) lead England 77/0 (Ben Duckett 43*, Zak Crawley 33*) by 281 runs.
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