India suffer Pant setback in fourth Test against England

INDIA suffered a potentially major setback when Rishabh Pant retired hurt on the first day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford yesterday before they reached stumps on 264-4.

- 

Earlier, spinner Liam Dawson marked his first Test in eight years with the key wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal after England captain Ben Stokes went against history by opting to bowl first after winning the toss.

No team winning the toss and bowling first has ever won a Test at Old Trafford. India, 2-1 down after three Tests, must win in Manchester if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning the five-match series.

But the tourists will have to make history as they have never managed to win in nine previous Tests at Old Trafford.

India, got through the first session without losing a wicket only for three batters, including skipper Shubman Gill, to be dismissed before tea.

The recalled Sai Sudharsan, dropped on 20, twice hooked fast bowler Jofra Archer for four before Pant launched Brydon Carse for a superb straight six.

But the audacious Pant was hurt when trying to reverse sweep off a yorker-length delivery from paceman Chris Woakes a shot many batsmen would not even contemplate let alone attempt.