Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first under gloomy Manchester skies didn’t bring the rewards England hoped for on Day 1, as India finished at 264/4 in 83 overs.
Sai Sudharsan, recalled in place of Karun Nair, top-scored with a patient 61, anchoring the innings after openers KL Rahul (41) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) added a solid 94-run stand in the morning session.
Rahul, who became the fifth Indian to score 1,000 Test runs in England, fell just short of his half-century, edging Chris Woakes to third slip. Jaiswal, usually aggressive, played cautiously to complete his eighth fifty-plus score against England, before edging spinner Liam Dawson – playing his first Test in eight years – to first slip.
Sudharsan steadied India after Shubman Gill (12) fell lbw to Stokes, but was later dismissed by Stokes again, cramped on a pull shot and caught at long leg.
Rishabh Pant (37)* added quick runs, including a slog-swept four off Archer, but had to retire hurt after under-edging a reverse sweep onto his right foot, suffering a bruise.
In fading light, Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja stayed unbeaten, denying England the second new ball and keeping the Test evenly poised.
England’s bowlers, led by Woakes, Stokes, and Dawson, bowled tightly, conceding just over three runs per over, while Harry Brook’s antics in the slips brought some humour to a long, slow day.
The Test remains finely balanced, with India seeking to build a big first-innings total on Day 2.
