Fourth Test at Old Trafford: India’s Iron-Willed Escape Keeps Series Alive

By Hvyyvn04__

A bruising, marathon contest at Emirates Old Trafford ended in a hard‑fought draw, leaving the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy delicately poised at 2–1 in England’s favour with one Test to play. What began as India’s stumble turned into one of their great modern escapes — a defiance built on resilience, records, and redemption.

India’s First Innings: Early Stumbles, Brave Resistance

India chose to bat but were bowled out for 358, with contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal (58), Sai Sudharsan (61), and a courageous Rishabh Pant (54) battling through a fractured foot. Ben Stokes, in vintage form, took 5–72, his first five‑wicket haul in Tests since 2017, supported by Archer and Woakes to keep India from a more imposing total.

England’s Response: A Statement of Intent

England roared back with a towering 669 all out, their fifth‑highest Test score and a record at Old Trafford. Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84) laid the foundation with a 166‑run opening stand, before Joe Root’s 150 — making him the second‑highest run‑scorer in Test history surpassing Ricky Ponting — and a thunderous 141 from Stokes blew the game open. Contributions from Ollie Pope (84) and the lower order kept the pressure on, as England’s lead swelled beyond 300.

India’s Second Innings: From Collapse to Steel

The script seemed set for a collapse when Chris Woakes reduced India to 0/2 within the first over. But Shubman Gill (103) and KL Rahul (90) rewrote the story, forging a stoic 174‑run stand across nearly five sessions. Gill’s innings — his fourth century of the series — showcased patience under fire, while Rahul played the perfect foil, batting with discipline and understated authority.

Jadeja & Sundar: The Unbroken Wall

When Rahul and Gill fell, England must have sensed blood. Instead, Ravindra Jadeja (107)* and Washington Sundar (101)* locked the game down with an unbroken 203‑run partnership, batting through 143 overs on a placid but mentally taxing pitch. In a symbolic moment of defiance, they rejected Ben Stokes’ offer of an early draw so both could reach their centuries, underlining their determination to walk away on their own terms.

What It Means

India: 358 & 425/4

England: 669

Match drawn — England lead the series 2–1 with one to play.

It was a draw that felt like a moral victory for India. From 0/2 to safety, their resilience neutralised England’s dominance and injected life into the series. For England, the missed opportunities — a dropped catch of Jadeja, lifelines for Gill — and the inability to finish what they started will sting ahead of The Oval decider.

Final Verdict

A Test that had everything: bruising pace spells, marathon partnerships, and milestones carved out of pressure. However, questions have to be asked about that Old Trafford pitch. Five games this season at Old Trafford. All five have ended in a draw. England remain ahead for now. With the series now heading to The Oval, this Old Trafford stalemate will be remembered as the Test where India refused to break.