Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the Indian team managed to secure a draw against England at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester. For India, this draw was as good as a victory. At one point, the situation looked grim for the Indian team as England had a hefty lead of 311 runs after the first innings, with five sessions still to go. The specter of defeat loomed large over the Indian side.
The situation became even more dire when India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal's wicket with no runs on the board. Saving the match seemed like an uphill task. But the Indian batsmen had other ideas. After Sudarshan was out, Shubman Gill came to the crease and formed a memorable partnership with KL Rahul. Initially, Gill batted in an ODI style. However, as he approached 50 runs, he wisely adopted a defensive approach since the ball had become older by then. Meanwhile, KL Rahul played in his signature style, targeting only the poor deliveries. Together, Rahul and Gill left England longing for wickets during the second and third sessions on Day 4. By stumps on Day 4, India had reached 174 for the loss of two wickets.
Take note: Despite trailing by 311, and losing two early wickets at 0, Sundar and Jadeja left England gasping as the Test ended in a draw.
The morning session of Day 5 was crucial for India to not lose any wickets. However, both set batsmen got out in that session. Ben Stokes trapped KL Rahul LBW with an incoming delivery. Shortly after reaching his century, Shubman Gill lost concentration and was caught by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off Jofra Archer. Rahul scored 90 runs at a strike rate of 39.13, and Gill scored 103 runs at a strike rate of 43.298. Together, they amassed a 188-run partnership for the third wicket.
A misstep from Joe Root and...
When Shubman Gill got out, India's score stood at four wickets down for 222 runs with over two sessions of play left. Despite being on the backfoot, new batsman Ravindra Jadeja was dropped on the very first ball by Joe Root—a lifeline that proved costly for the English team. Jadeja dug in at the crease with Washington Sundar, who had come to bat after KL Rahul’s dismissal. The decision to promote Sundar up the order paid off.
With a new ball in play, Jadeja didn't face much difficulty in scoring quickly, shifting the pressure squarely onto England. On the other hand, Washington Sundar, after getting settled, executed some splendid shots. The English team tried every trick in the book to dismantle the Jadeja-Sundar partnership, but these Indian batsmen were determined not to gift their wickets away.
The second session on Day 5 belonged entirely to India, with no wickets falling. By then, the lead was secured. The final session became a mere formality, where both batsmen completed their centuries. A formidable partnership of 203 runs for the fifth wicket unfolded between Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, with Jadeja remaining unbeaten at 107 and Sundar at 101.
Indian quartet leaves England astounded!
The unforgettable batting display by KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar will remain etched in fans' memories. This dynamic Indian quartet outplayed England, allowing the hosts to miss a golden opportunity for victory. The series is set for its fifth Test match at the Oval in London, starting July 31. While the Indian team cannot win this Test series outright, they still have a chance to level it.
