Old Trafford, Manchester:
On a day dominated by England’s commanding performance with both bat and ball, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul provided India with a much-needed glimmer of hope by surviving a wicketless middle session on Day 4 of the ongoing Test match at Old Trafford. Despite their gritty effort, the hosts remain firmly in control, thanks to Ben Stokes’ heroic century and Chris Woakes’ fiery opening burst.
Stokes Stars with the Bat, England Post Mammoth 669:
England began the day with a clear intent to bat India out of the game, and they did exactly that. Captain Ben Stokes led from the front, scoring a magnificent 141 to power England to a massive total of 669 their fifth-highest total in Test history. It was a special innings from Stokes, who had gone 35 innings without a century. His all-round impact in this match having already taken five wickets in the first innings puts him in elite company.
With this performance, Stokes became only the third player in Test history to score over 7000 runs and take more than 200 wickets, joining the legendary Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis. Despite his dominant role in the match, Stokes chose not to bowl in India’s second innings, perhaps due to the heavy workload he has taken on in this back-to-back Test series.
Woakes Rocks India Early:
India’s reply began in dramatic fashion, with Chris Woakes producing an inspired spell before lunch. He struck twice in the very first over, removing both openers before India had a single run on the board.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the first to go, undone by a delivery that angled in and then seamed away, catching the leading edge and flying to first slip. Sai Sudharsan followed shortly after, falling to a fatigued error after spending 157 overs on the field. Misjudging a short and wide delivery, he attempted to leave it but ended up edging it to second slip.
Also Read: Joe Root Surpasses Dravid And Kallis To Become Third-Highest Run-Scorer In Test Cricket
Gill, Rahul Offer Resistance in Middle Session:
Despite the early setback, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul settled the nerves with a solid and patient partnership through the middle session. The duo showcased excellent temperament against a probing English attack and ensured India did not lose any further wickets by tea. India ended the session at 86 for 2, still trailing by 225 runs.
Gill enjoyed a stroke of luck on 46 when Liam Dawson couldn’t hold on to a sharp chance at gully. He capitalised on the reprieve and continued his impressive form in the series. With this innings, Gill surpassed Virat Kohli’s 655-run tally against England in 2016 and now eyes Sunil Gavaskar’s record of most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series (732).
India Still Facing Uphill Battle:
Despite the gritty fightback by Gill and Rahul, India remains in a precarious position. With a deficit of 225 runs and two wickets already lost, the visitors will need a monumental effort to save the match on the final day. The pitch continues to assist seam movement, and England’s bowlers, buoyed by their first-innings lead and recent success, are unlikely to let the pressure ease.
The road ahead is steep, but India’s middle order, led by the in form Gill, will hope to script a turnaround in what has been a gripping and hard-fought Test match.
