Sai Sudharsan shone with the bat for India on the first day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, July 23. The lefty batter fought hard to score 61 runs from 151 balls, hitting seven boundaries. In his innings, he built a key 72-run stand with the hurt Rishabh Pant for the fourth wicket, and then kept going with Ravindra Jadeja before getting caught at fine leg off captain Ben Stokes’ bowling.
Sudharsan took advantage of the opportunity after taking over for the underperforming Karun Nair. The southpaw had previously scored 0 and 30 in his Test debut against England at Headingley.
Fans on X applauded Sai Sudharsan for moving up to No. 3 and being the first Indian batter to make a fifty at the stadium since Sanjay Manjrekar in 1990. A user wrote:
“Grit, patience, and temperament on display in testing conditions!”
Another user commented:
“Gritty 61 under testing conditions — a knock to remember, and possibly a turning point in his Test journey.”
A third user added:
“A brilliant knock, 61 tough runs, he will be proud of this innings, probably a career changing knock in his Test career.”
“Timing, technique, temperament- top notch!” a user wrote.
Here are a few more reactions:
Sai Sudharsan just recorded the highest score by a No. 3 batter in Manchester Tests since 1990, the last was Sanjay Manjrekar, who scored 50 in that year.
It took 34 years for someone to go past it! pic.twitter.com/GxXykfIF9K
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) July 23, 2025STAT: Sai Sudharsan scored fifty today while batting at No.3. The last Indian batter before him to score a 50-plus score at this position in an overseas Test was Cheteshwar Pujara against Bangladesh at Chattogram in 2022.
— Kohlipaglu (@KOHLISMx18) July 23, 2025Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal Hit Fifties to Keep India Ahead in Fourth Test
Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored half-centuries to help India dominate England on the first day of the fourth Test. Jaiswal scored 58 runs off 107 balls, including one six and ten boundaries. In addition, he and KL Rahul (46 off 98) shared a 94-run opening stand.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant was out for 37 from 48 balls after being hit on the boot while attempting a reverse sweep from Chris Woakes.
Day 1 of the fourth Test at the Old Trafford Stadium ended with India at 264/4 in 83 overs. At the end of the day, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur were not out on 19 each. England Skipper Ben Stokes has been the best of the bowlers with two wickets to his name.
The five-match Test series between the two teams is currently tied at 2-1. The hosts defeated India by 22 runs in the third Test at Lord’s.
