Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul navigated a challenging opening session with composure, guiding India to a solid 78 without loss at lunch on day one of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

On a morning marked by overcast skies and helpful conditions for seam bowling, England captain Ben Stokes opted to bowl first, despite history not favouring teams making that choice at this venue. No side has ever won a Test at Old Trafford after electing to field first, and India’s unbeaten opening stand by lunch suggested that the decision could prove costly.

Chris Woakes delivered the most threatening spell for England, testing both batters, particularly Jaiswal, with his consistent movement off the seam. In the very first over of the day, Jaiswal was beaten twice, with edges falling short of the slip cordon. Woakes repeatedly challenged the left-hander, beating the outside edge multiple times in his probing eight-over burst.