Manchester, England – In a dramatic conclusion to the India vs England Fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford, India battled valiantly to secure an ‘astounding’ draw against England, keeping the series alive and setting the stage for a grandstand finish at The Kia Oval. What initially appeared to be a certain defeat for the visitors transformed into a testament to their resilience, largely thanks to heroic centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
Facing a daunting deficit of 311 runs and reeling at 0-2 in their second innings on day four, India seemed destined for an early exit. However, the team, led by captain Shubman Gill, displayed remarkable grit. Gill himself notched his fourth century of the series, anchoring the innings with a hard-fought knock. His ability to withstand early pressure, including a hat-trick ball and challenging deliveries from Ben Stokes, proved crucial.
The true turning point came with the partnerships forged by Gill and later by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Both Jadeja and Sundar, despite England’s efforts to force a result, batted on to achieve their respective centuries, a decision that drew some debate but ultimately highlighted their determination. Nasser Hussain, a Sky Sports Cricket pundit, defended India’s decision, stating, “I didn’t have a problem with it. England did. They had tired bowlers and tired legs and wanted to get off but the two lads had worked hard to get into the 80s and 90s and wanted hundreds in India vs England Fourth Test.
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England, on the other hand, will be left to ponder what might have been. Three dropped catches proved costly, with Gill being shelled on 46 by Liam Dawson and again on 83 by Ollie Pope. Jadeja was also given a life on nought by Joe Root. These missed opportunities, coupled with a perceived lack of penetration from England’s bowlers after the 35-40 over mark, prevented them from forcing a victory.
Key Performances:
| Player | Team | Role | Performance in 4th Test (2nd Innings) |
| Shubman Gill | India | Batsman | Century (4th of the series) |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | All-rounder | Century |
| Washington Sundar | India | All-rounder | Century |
| Liam Dawson | England | Bowler | Dropped Gill on 46 |
| Ollie Pope | England | Fielder | Dropped Gill on 83 |
| Joe Root | England | Fielder | Dropped Jadeja on 0 |
What Next?
The series now moves to The Kia Oval for the fifth and final Test, scheduled from July 31 to August 4. England has added Jamie Overton to their squad, providing additional pace options for what promises to be a thrilling decider.