Gill , Rahul rekindles match saving hopes as India fights to draw 4th test vs England

 

Avoiding defeat in the Manchester Test looks immensely difficult. Extremely difficult. Yet the Indian team is fighting with nerves of steel — even after losing two wickets in the very first over without a run on the board!

From that dreadful position, India ended Day 4 at 174 for 2. KL Rahul (87*) and Shubman Gill (78*) remain unbeaten, having batted through 62.1 overs in a resolute third-wicket stand. Their partnership has managed to hold off England’s hopes of clinching the series. Even the chants echoing through Old Trafford’s stands from the English fans failed to break their concentration. India still needs 137 runs to make England bat again.

Earlier on Saturday, England wrapped up their first innings at a colossal 669 — 311 runs ahead of India. It was skipper Ben Stokes who led the charge. After taking 5 wickets with the ball, he followed it up with a magnificent 141 with the bat. In England’s 148-year Test history, no other captain has achieved this unique double — a century and a five-wicket haul in the same Test. Ironically, it’s a New Zealander who's now made English cricket history. Admittedly, India’s toothless bowling helped make his job easier.

Stokes came out to bat in the morning with Liam Dawson, who was returning to Test cricket after eight years. The England captain knew it was largely up to him to do the damage, and he didn’t disappoint. After Dawson (26) was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, there was some relief for India. But No.10 Brydon Carse added to their frustration, contributing a vital 47 before falling to Ravindra Jadeja. It’s clear India’s pace bowlers have plenty to learn. The way England’s tail-enders have contributed with the bat in this series is something India’s lower-order must take note of. Whether this “educational tour” enriches Indian cricket will only be seen in time.

For now, India is occupied trying to respond to the questions posed by England’s tail — especially with the ball. In the very first over of the innings, Chris Woakes dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Sai Sudharsan off consecutive deliveries. Neither could replicate their first-innings performance. And curiously, the pitch that looked like a paradise for batsmen during England’s innings suddenly seemed hostile for India. But the problem wasn’t the surface — it was the pressure of trailing by 311 runs. Under cloudy skies, Woakes bowled two good, though not unplayable, deliveries. But such is the glorious uncertainty of cricket.

Jaiswal's (0)  was indeed an unplayable delivery .The ball delivered from roubd the wicket was angling into Jaiswal who tried to  play a legitimate shot towards onside but the ball pitched and moved away from middle & leg towards off as it held its line & took the leading edge off Jaiswal's bat to Root who juggled & took the catch at 1st slip . Sudharsan (0) was out next ball , which he touched as he tried to shoulder arms and the catch went tamely to 2nd slip. 

India sent in Shubman Gill at No. 4, and he had to face the new ball — a task not unfamiliar to him as a former opener. With added responsibility on his shoulders, he steadied the ship alongside the experienced KL Rahul. Their desperate rearguard resistance after tea left the English camp visibly frustrated. The inability to break the partnership gnawed at them. Still, surprisingly, Stokes — who took five wickets in the first innings — didn’t bring himself into the attack.

Rahul and Gill’s partnership evoked memories of the epic 2001 Eden Gardens Test against Steve Waugh’s Australia. Back then, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman turned the match around after India was forced to follow on. Dravid made 180, Laxman 281 — together they stitched a historic 376-run stand. India needs a similar miracle now. 

There’s still one more source of hope: England’s famously fickle weather. Forecasts had predicted showers on all five days of the Test, though play has remained uninterrupted so far. Should rain arrive on Sunday, India may escape to The Oval with the series still alive and a chance to draw level.

But there is no glory in surviving because of rain. It won’t enhance coach Gautam Gambhir’s reputation either. What might, though, is a determined stand from India’s batsmen — the kind that could pull his tenure as Test coach out of the ‘ICU’ and at least into the ‘general ward’.