Old Trafford, Manchester:
India cemented a gritty draw against England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Day 5, largely thanks to heroic efforts by Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and skipper Shubman Gill. The visitors defied a massive first-innings deficit and batted out 143 overs in their second innings to stave off defeat and keep the series alive.
Shubman Gill’s Captain’s Century Sets Up Resistance:
India resumed Day 5 in a precarious position but quickly lost KL Rahul for 90, falling behind England’s lead. Skipper Shubman Gill then took charge with a crucial century his fourth of the series, a record feat for an Indian captain in England scoring 103 before being dismissed by Jofra Archer. His innings, alongside Rahul’s, formed a 207-run third-wicket stand, anchoring India’s fightback and allowing Jadeja and Sundar to continue unbroken stints at the crease.
Jadeja and Sundar Bat Through to Earn Centuries:
After Gill’s fall, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar shared an unbroken partnership of over 200 runs for the fifth wicket, rewriting Indian records at Old Trafford. Both batters reached three figures, Jadeja ending on 107* and Sundar on 103* as India finished at 425 for 4 in 143 overs. Sundar notched his maiden Test century, while Jadeja continued his rich run of form down the order.
📸📸 Moments in Manchester after stitching a Memorable partnership 🤝
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/L1EVgGu4SI#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/txFI5J5Srf
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2025
Also Read: Joe Root Surpasses Dravid And Kallis To Become Third-Highest Run-Scorer In Test Cricket
England’s Dominance Begins to Fade:
Earlier, England dominated the match with a mammoth first innings total of 669 all out, their highest ever at Old Trafford. Joe Root featured heavily in that effort, while India were dismissed for 358, triggering a follow-on.
Despite England’s control early on Day 5 taking two wickets in the first over of India’s second innings they failed to claim further breakthroughs, managing only four wickets in 143 overs overall. India’s refusal to concede, even rejecting Ben Stokes’ attempt to shake hands when both batters were in the nineties, helped seal the draw.
Series Implications:
The result leaves England with a 2–1 lead in the five-match series, but India’s ability to salvage a draw from a nearly lost cause injects renewed momentum into the tour. The final Test now becomes a series decider, as India aim to level the tie and England look to close it out.
The fifth Test at The Oval, beginning 31st July, promises high drama. India will look to build on this resilience and seek a series leveler, while England must regroup and convert opportunities before it’s too late.
