Manchester: Shubman Gill and KL Rahul led a determined Indian fightback with an unbroken 173-run partnership after England posted a formidable 669 on Day 4 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
At stumps, India had reached 174 for 2, still trailing by 137 runs, but with a renewed sense of control after a disastrous start to their second innings.
Earlier in the day, England captain Ben Stokes stole the spotlight with a majestic 141, resuming from his overnight score and pushing England’s total beyond India’s reach. His innings, laced with 11 boundaries and three sixes, was a mix of elegance and aggression.
After reaching his 14th Test century, Stokes removed his helmet and pointed skyward in an emotional tribute to his late father. He found brief support from Brydon Carse, who struck a breezy 47 off 54 balls. The pair added crucial lower-order runs before Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up the tail, while Jasprit Bumrah struck with a low delivery to dismiss Liam Dawson.
India’s reply began in shambles. Both openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Sai Sudharsan, were dismissed for ducks within the first three overs. With the score at 1 for 2, England sensed a rapid collapse, but what followed was a display of grit and composure from KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. The duo saw through a hostile period before lunch and then slowly wrested momentum away from England.
Gill was the first to counterattack, playing with flair and confidence. He lofted a superb drive over mid-off against Jofra Archer and pierced the gaps with ease on either side of the wicket. His innings was not without fortune, on 25, he edged Brydon Carse to backward point, only to be dropped by Liam Dawson.
Making the most of the reprieve, Gill reached his eighth Test fifty in the 29th over with a flick for three off Joe Root, bringing up the landmark in just 77 balls. England unsuccessfully reviewed twice for LBWs against Gill, with both reviews going against them.
Rahul, at the other end, played the role of anchor with measured strokeplay. He brought up his half-century in 141 balls, guiding a delivery from Dawson past slip in the 42nd over. He was particularly effective off the back foot, cutting and punching the ball between point and third man with precision. He also pulled Archer in front of square and threaded boundaries through gaps against Chris Woakes with finesse. Rahul grew in confidence as the innings progressed, finishing the day unbeaten on 87.
The third-wicket stand steadily gained substance, reaching 100 in 230 balls and later touching 150 in 327 deliveries.
At tea, India had progressed to 86 for 2, and they continued to defy England’s attack with a mixture of caution and counterpunching flair. Both batsmen exploited the gaps and capitalised on any lapse in line or length from the bowlers.
Rahul opened the face and guided Woakes between slip and gully for four, then cut him through point in the same over. Gill glanced Dawson fine past short fine leg for another boundary and punished an overpitched ball from Archer through covers.
Late in the day, Rahul dispatched a full toss from Root through mid-off for a boundary, a fitting end to a day of quiet Indian dominance after a nightmarish start. India had scored 150 in 54.4 overs with 9 extras, and the partnership between Gill and Rahul had not only steadied the innings but had also kept the contest alive heading into Day 5.
As the sun dipped over Old Trafford, India walked off with their heads high, still 137 runs behind but with two set batsmen at the crease and hope firmly intact.
