Subhayan Chakraborty at Old Trafford Stadium
As England trudged off for lunch on Day 4 at Old Trafford, they might have felt the game was theirs. India had suffered a torrid morning, battered by Ben Stokes’ blistering century, his first in two years; a 141 off 198 balls that propelled England to a commanding 669 all out. Tasked with facing 15 minutes before the break, India’s top order crumbled under Chris Woakes’ new-ball brilliance, losing two wickets in two balls to slump to 0/2, staring at a daunting 311-run deficit. It was the kind of start that could break a team. Yet, by stumps, India had flipped the script, thanks to the resolute defiance of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, who steered their side to 174 for two, keeping the prospect of a draw, and perhaps more, alive.
India’s recovery was built on the backs of Gill and Rahul, who scored unbeaten 78 and 87 respectively, showcasing resilience and class. After enduring 157 overs in the field on a pitch that, while generally true, occasionally kept low, the duo batted through two wicketless sessions, frustrating England’s bowlers and a Saturday crowd left to entertain themselves. Their partnership, now the highest-ever after a team was reduced to 0 for two, surpassing the 105 set by Mohinder Amarnath and Gundappa Vishwanath, was a masterclass in concentration. Gill, with his low-slung hands, caressed the ball with elegance, while Rahul’s water-tight technique evoked technical perfection. Together, they sent a message to their teammates – this fight was far from over.
“Phenomenal to witness that especially after fielding for 157 overs, simply phenomenal. The resilience is commendable both from KL Rahul, the senior pro showing the way and leading by example, and the captain himself, as a leader to forget what has happened and keeping all the criticism aside and to refocus on what’s ahead as a batter, it’s a superhuman effort from both of them,” former India international Deep Dasgupta, commentating in the series, told Revsportz.
England’s attack, led by Woakes, had started with venom. His opening burst was devastating: Yashasvi Jaiswal was squared up and edged to slip, where Joe Root held on at the second attempt, before Sai Sudharsan, playing his first ball, misjudged a leave, the ball catching his bat and flying to the cordon. But after Gill survived the hat-trick ball, the tide began to turn. The one chance England had, a sharp slice from Gill on 46 at backward point, burst through Dawson’s hands, denying Brydon Carse a breakthrough and leaving India unscathed at 74/2.
The final session saw England try everything, from short-ball barrages to targeting Gill’s pads, where they sensed vulnerability. But Gill, after surviving a fiery spell from Jofra Archer, responded with stunning stroke-play, including back-to-back boundaries in the 17th over, a crisp cover drive and a daring upper cut, followed by consecutive boundaries off Carse, highlighted by a classy on-drive. Rahul, meanwhile, was flawless, playing late with a defence that has looked impregnable in this series. As the sun emerged, batting became easier, and the pitch, slow and dry as it has been all season, none of the four county games here produced a result, offered India hope of survival, especially with rain forecast for Sunday.
England’s pacers, despite early movement in the air and off the seam, grew frustrated as the day wore on. Archer, returning mid-series, made the new ball talk but couldn’t convert LBW appeals. A draw, once unthinkable, now looms as a real possibility.
On social media, fans have been comparing Rahul and Gill’s walk to the pavilion, after the end of day’s play, to VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in the epic 2001 Test against Australia at the Eden Gardens. “There’s a lot of cricket still to be played on Day 5. Let’s not jump the gun. They have done a very very good job. They have won the battle but the war is still on,” Dasgupta said.
Gill and Rahul’s grit has given India a lifeline. With 137 runs still to erase, and the weather potentially in their favour, the visitors have clawed their way back into a Test that seemed lost. England, for all their dominance earlier, now face a battle to force a result.
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