Old Trafford, Manchester:
On the decisive final day of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford, India still have slim hopes of salvaging a draw to keep the five‑match series alive.
England, leading the series 2‑1, posted a mammoth 669 in their first innings, a total propelled by England captain Ben Stokes’s superb 141 and his five‑wicket haul with the ball earlier in the match. India responded strongly in the second innings after being reduced to 0/2, as captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul put together a magnificent 174‑run partnership. Gill went on to score his fourth century of the series, joining Sir Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar as only the third captain ever to achieve that feat.
Entering Day 5, India resumed on 174/2, still trailing by 137 runs, and pressed on with Rahul and Gill at the crease. However, Ben Stokes broke the stand in the 71st over, dismissing Rahul lbw for a well crafted 90. Just before lunch, Jofra Archer struck to send Gill packing for 103, exposing India’s lower order.
At lunch, India were 223/4, still trailing by 88 runs, with four sessions remaining and the match finely poised.
Beyond the scoreboard, several factors will decide India’s fate. Rain is forecast for Manchester, particularly in the morning session with up to 80% probability. These interruptions could deny England sufficient time to take eight remaining wickets and give India an opening to escape with a draw.
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Meanwhile, England’s bowling remains lean but dangerous. Ben Stokes, despite battling shoulder discomfort, resumed his spell and found crucial breakthroughs. England’s bowling rotation relying on Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer and Stokes crafted pressure from both seam and spin ends.
On the Indian side, with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul back in the pavilion, the tail now has to hold firm. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja have taken charge of resistance in the afternoon session. Rishabh Pant will also bat despite a fractured toe, though India lack specialist batting depth now.
Taking hits, but still standing – India’s story in Manchester💪#SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/racbGv9y2P
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 27, 2025
Can India draw the match?
Yes, but India’s margin for error is vanishingly thin. They must survive at least two more sessions before rain arrives or slow England’s pace with lower-order fighting. If the forecast rain intervenes, it could curtail England’s time to wrap up the last eight wickets. India will need a major rearguard effort to bat deep and see out play, leveraging the weather and remaining sessions to protect the series.
A draw would mean the series heads to the fifth Test at The Oval with England leading 2‑1 and India still very much alive. A loss would secure the series for England today at Old Trafford.
