India dealt blow with Rishabh Pant's retirement against England in fourth Test
Rishabh Pant's retirement through injury slowed India's progress on day one of the fourth Test against England, with the tourists reaching stumps on 4-264.With England eyeing a victory at Old Trafford that would seal a series win with one Test to spare, the hosts put India in to bat in overcast Manchester conditions.But India cruised through to lunch untroubled on 0-78.Three wickets in the afternoon session cost just 36 runs, including India captain Shubman Gill, swinging momentum back in England's favour before tea.England spinner Liam Dawson picked up his first Test wicket in eight years when he had opener Yashasvi Jaiswal caught for 58.Spirit of cricket in spotlight after Lord's Photo shows England batter Zak Crawley points and talks to India fielder Shubman Gill during a Test. England's time-wasting tactics during the Lord's Test prompt India captain Shubman Gill to question if they were playing "in the spirit of the game".As he often does, the entertaining Pant upped the ante after tea by playing a number of flamboyant shots.However, his innings was halted abruptly when he retired hurt on 37, having taken a blow on the foot trying to reverse sweep Chris Woakes.Sai Sudharsan's maiden Test 50, a patient knock that took 134 balls to achieve, had already taken India past 200 before he got a hook shot all wrong to fall for 61.England could not make any further inroads, leaving the Test finely poised going into day two.Sudharsan said India was hoping for the best in regard to Pant's injury."We will get more information tomorrow, but if the injury is serious, obviously it is a big blow," Sudharsan told reporters."He was batting really well today, so we will really miss out if he doesn't come back."We will have to do our best to negotiate the loss if he doesn't, we have plenty of batting and all-rounders to come."India's experienced Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur will both resume on 19 on day two.Reuters
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