Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, Day 5 of Manchester Test. Image: Debasis Sen
By Trisha Ghosal in Manchester
At one point in the opening session, the question was whether India could even make England bat again. By the time the players walked off for tea, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar had not just closed the gap but flipped the narrative — putting India 11 runs ahead with a resolute fifth-wicket partnership that could prove decisive.
Jadeja, dropped first ball, continued to make England pay in a way only he can — by mixing stoic defence with elegant aggression. A straight drive down the ground and a caressed push through covers off Liam Dawson summarised his control, as much as his calm. With Washington for company, he weathered tricky spells that included sharp turn from Joe Root and a strong lbw shout off Brydon Carse off a no-ball. That no-ball not only gave India an extra run but brought up the 50-run partnership between the two.
Stokes, sensing the game slipping, returned to the attack with venom. He changed ends and attempted to rattle the left-handers with a barrage of short balls, three bouncers in four deliveries, one of which was called wide, and another deemed a no-ball for excessive bounce. But the psychological edge didn’t shift back.
The usually fiery Jofra Archer had his own frustrations. Unhappy with the field, particularly the absence of a mid-on, he signalled his discontent towards Stokes after being driven through the gap for a four. Once the field was finally adjusted, he responded with a peach past Washington’s edge and a pointed spray but wickets remained elusive.
Meanwhile, Dawson toiled relentlessly, sending down his 11th maiden of the match, 10 of those in this innings alone and came agonisingly close as Jadeja almost chopped one onto his stumps. England’s close-in fielders wore the familiar expressions of disbelief as the ball evaded the stumps and hands.
Amid all the chaos and chatter, one quiet milestone added weight to the session. Jadeja became the seventh Indian to cross 1,000 Test runs in England, the third to do it this week, after KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
India may only be 11 runs ahead, but in the context of a gritty, grinding fifth day, it feels like a moral victory. One more session and India can make a telling statement.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news