Subhayan Chakraborty in Manchester
Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar orchestrated one of the most memorable match-saving efforts in Test cricket at Old Trafford, keeping India’s hopes alive in the series against England. With England posting the highest-ever Test total at the venue and reducing India to 0/2 in the first over of their second innings, the visitors appeared destined for defeat. England’s position, bolstered by a long Indian tail prone to collapses and their ability to chase any target swiftly, had them poised for a victory lap at The Oval. The defiance from Jadeja and Washington ensured the series scoreline remained 2-1 heading into the fifth and final Test.
The partnership between Shubman Gill and KL Rahul provided a foundation, but it was Jadeja and Washington who stole the show, shielding the fragile lower order and Rishabh Pant’s injured foot from England’s relentless attack on Day Five. The duo’s gritty performance culminated in both players reaching centuries, Jadeja’s first of the series ( 107 not out) and Washington’s maiden Test hundred, an unbeaten 101. Their efforts were rewarded as they shook hands with England’s players on securing a draw.
Jadeja, who survived a dropped catch by Joe Root off the first ball he faced, capitalised on the reprieve to score his fourth Test century. Washington, meanwhile, replicated his six off Pat Cummins in the historic Gabba win, boldly pulling Stokes for a six and a four off consecutive balls to reach his 50. The pair’s 203-run fifth-wicket partnership, spanning 334 deliveries, not only erased England’s lead but also saw India cross 350 for the seventh time in the series, a record for any team in men’s Test cricket. Their resilience was particularly crucial during a tense new-ball spell, ensuring no collapse exposed the tail.
Similar to the pre-match ritual, head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had observed the pitch after stumps every day. The coaches read the pitch, and the situation to perfection as they promoted Washington to No. 5 despite Shardul Thakur scoring a 41 in the first innings. The decision to not rush for the right-left combination was a wise call, and deserves credit. England’s pacers, with the old and new balls, made it talk with variable bounce on display. However, it didn’t do much off the deck against the left-hand batters.
Also Read: The unlikely hero: Washington Sundar
England captain Stokes accepted that the pitch worked better for left-hand batters. “As this game got deeper and deeper, it got much harder for right-handers to bat on it,” Stokes said at the post-match press conference. “From the top end (Sir James Anderson End), it was keeping up and down from very similar areas… You saw that happening quite a lot when Shubman and KL were batting. It was a very good partnership with balls slightly high or low. I am left-handed, I spent time out there, it didn’t feel it was a danger to the left-handers.
“When Jadeja and Washington came out, the pitch didn’t feel threatening for the left-handers. It was a different wicket for the left-handers and right-handers. But you still need to be good and skilful enough to get through the pressures of Day Five, particularly when you were behind in the game like India were. So, have to give credit to Jadeja and Washington for the way they played, that partnership was crucial for them to be in that position at the end of the match.”
Jadeja’s knock also saw him surpass 1,000 Test runs in England, joining cricket legends Garry Sobers and Wilfred Rhodes as only the third player to score 1,000 runs and take 30 wickets in a country other than their own. The final session showcased the pair’s tenacity, with India batting through Day 5 and losing just two wickets after starting 137 runs behind. Unlike Stokes’ previous draw as captain two years ago, when rain thwarted England’s Ashes hopes at Old Trafford, the Manchester weather held firm, offering no excuses.
As the game entered its final hour, with Sundar on 80 and Jadeja on 89, India opted to press for centuries rather than settle for an immediate draw, a decision that underscored their confidence. The result keeps the series alive, setting the stage for a thrilling decider at The Oval.
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