4 milestones made on Day 2 of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test ft. Rishabh Pant

India were ultimately bowled out for 358 in the first innings of Anderson-Tendulkar 2025 4th Test. The highlight of the inning belonged to Rishabh Pant, who returned to bat with a dominant fractured toe, scoring a test half-century which lifted the spirits of the team as the England bowlers, led by the captain Ben Stokes, continued to apply pressure. Stokes was the standout bowler for England with five wickets to end India's innings. In response, runs came aplenty for the openers. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett both made fifties as they put together a partnership of 166 to get England off to a great start. Both men did not convert to hundreds, but ensured that at Stumps, England was 225/2 and only 133 runs behind with 8 wickets in hand.

The Indian bowlers did not create much pressure throughout the day, tended to lack control, and did not take regular wickets or dry up the run scoring. The debutant Anshul Kamboj made his first test wicket against Duckett. Ravindra Jadeja registered the other wicket against Crawley. Ollie Pope (20*) and Joe Root (11*) batted out the remaining deliveries. With things clearly in favour of England, if India areto get a grip on the test and retain hope in this series, they will require a much improved performance with the ball on Day 3.

See Also: WATCH: Mohammed Siraj involved in heated confrontation with Ben Duckett on Day 2 of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

England seized control on Day 2 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester, continuing their dominance in the five-match series where they currently lead 2-1. India resumed play from their overnight score of 264/4 but failed to build momentum as wickets fell regularly.

Rishabh Pant most 50-plus scores by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test series

Rishabh Pant continued his stellar run in the ongoing series by scoring a composed 54 off 75 deliveries, featuring three fours and two sixes. This knock marked his third half-century of the series, adding to the two centuries he has already registered. With five 50-plus scores in the series, Pant has been a consistent performer with the bat, standing out as a key contributor for India in the middle order. His ability to counterattack under pressure has made a significant impact in this hard-fought contest between India and England.

Pant’s latest fifty takes him to a historic milestone,  he now holds the record for the most 50-plus scores by an Indian wicketkeeper in a single Test series. He surpassed legends like MS Dhoni and Farokh Engineer, who had each scored four 50-plus knocks in a series. Dhoni achieved this feat twice, against Australia in 2008/09 and England in 2014, while Engineer managed it against England in the 1972/73 series.

Rishabh Pant most Test runs in a series by a wicketkeeper in England

Rishabh Pant has been in outstanding form throughout the ongoing series, anchoring India's middle order with remarkable consistency. Batting at number five, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 479 runs from seven innings at an impressive average of 68.42. His aggressive yet calculated approach has made a significant difference for India, especially in pressure situations. Pant’s ability to counterattack has not only steadied the innings but also helped build momentum at crucial stages of the matches, proving why he’s one of the most valuable assets for Team India in red-ball cricket.

With this prolific run, Pant has now set a new benchmark for wicketkeepers in Test cricket played in England. He surpassed former England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart, who had previously held the record with 464 runs in a series against South Africa back in 1998. Additionally, Pant now leads an elite list that includes England’s Jamie Smith, who has scored 415 runs in the current series, and Jonny Bairstow, who had 387 runs against Sri Lanka in 2016. Pant's historic performance highlights his dominance and vital contribution to India’s campaign in challenging English conditions.

Second-highest opening partnership for England against India at Manchester

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett provided England with a commanding start on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. The openers were in fine form, with Duckett scoring a brisk 94 and Crawley contributing a composed 84. Together, the duo stitched a 166-run stand for the first wicket, laying a strong foundation for England's reply to India's first-innings total. Their aggressive yet controlled batting kept the Indian bowlers at bay, frustrating the visitors and helping England end the day in a strong position.

This 166-run opening partnership is now the second-highest for England against India in Tests at Manchester. The record for the highest opening stand at this venue still belongs to Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton, who put together an impressive 225-run partnership in 1990 against the same opposition. Crawley and Duckett’s effort not only set the tone for the innings but also etched their names among England’s top-performing opening duos at Old Trafford.

Most runs for India in WTC

Rishabh Pant has now become the leading run-scorer for India in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter surpassed Rohit Sharma’s tally of 2716 runs, achieving this milestone in just 38 matches and 67 innings. Pant currently has 2731 runs at an average of 43.34, including six centuries and 16 half-centuries. His consistency and aggressive style of play have made him a vital asset in India’s middle order, especially in challenging overseas conditions.

Pant has also gone past former captain Virat Kohli, who scored 2617 runs from 46 matches in the WTC cycle. Among active Indian players, Shubman Gill is the closest to Pant with 2512 runs to his name. Pant’s rise to the top of India’s WTC run charts underlines his impact and growing stature in Test cricket. With several important matches ahead, the southpaw will aim to continue his rich vein of form and strengthen his record even further.