India vs England 4th Test Day 5
Context and Series Status
Entering the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, England led the five-match Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy series 2–1. Victory for England would secure the series; India, trailing, needed a resilient effort to stave off defeat and stay in contention for the series decider at The Oval.
Morning Session: Resilience After Collapse
India resumed the day at 174/2, still trailing by 137 runs, after a remarkable stand between captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul rescued the middle session of Day 4. England had piled up 669 in their first innings, leveraging performances from Joe Root and Ben Stokes, leaving India under severe early pressure. India’s recovery was key to surviving this India vs England 4th Test Day 5.
Gill and Rahul extended their partnership to 188 runs, but the morning brought breakthroughs. Despite battling a hand injury, Gill reached his fourth century of the series, becoming only the third captain ever to do so in a single Test series. He was dismissed for 103, edging one from Jofra Archer outside off stump ahead of lunch. KL Rahul fell shortly after for 90, trapped LBW by Ben Stokes, ending the partnership that had rescued India.
At lunch, India were 223/4, still trailing by 88 runs, but with the bulk of the batting lineup still available.
Afternoon Session: Jadeja and Sundar Steady the Ship
After the break, India showed discipline under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar both crafted composed half‑centuries, guiding India into a slender lead. By tea, India stood at 322/4, enjoying a lead of 11 runs. Despite England’s attempts, they could not break through.
England’s bowling attack, including Stokes and Liam Dawson, faced criticism for dropped chances and inconsistent lengths—even as Stokes bowled a spirited spell despite visible shoulder pain. His earlier dismissal of Rahul came amid grimaces but showed his enduring impact.
Weather and Match Outlook
Fortunately for India, weather conditions remained favorable with only minor interruptions forecast for Manchester. Rain threats loomed but did not disrupt play significantly on India vs England 4th Test Day 5.
With 36 overs left after tea, India’s approach was clear: bat out the remainder, avoid defeat, and preserve their series chances. England, meanwhile, required six wickets in two sessions and a final bowling opportunity to secure the series before the final Test.
Player Highlights
Shubman Gill: Masterful captain’s knock under pressure. Despite absorbing a blow to the helmet from Stokes, he remained composed—a hallmark of his growing maturity.
KL Rahul: Played aggressively yet sensibly, anchored the innings until his dismissal for 90. His role was central in stabilizing after early wickets.
Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja: Exhibited calmness in adversity, both unbeaten at tea—on 57 and 53 respectively—and crucial to India taking a small lead.
Ben Stokes: Despite battling injury, claimed Rahul’s wicket and became only the fourth player in Test history with 10+ centuries and 5+ five-wicket hauls. His all-round impact underlined England’s potency.
Turning Point and Tactical Themes
India’s recovery from 0/2 to not only survive but take the lead hinged on two defining partnerships. Gill‑Rahul laid a solid foundation, then Jadeja‑Sundar absorbed pressure and wore the bowlers down.
England had the advantage of a massive first-innings score and time on their side, but fielding lapses and lack of breakthrough in crucial moments stalled their momentum. If India can survive as rain conciliates or the overs run out, they will force a draw—preserving their series hopes going into the final Test.
Performer of the Day
Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar
These two anchored India’s fightback in the afternoon with a calm and effective unbeaten partnership—Jadeja (53*) and Sundar (57*) took India from precarious positions to a narrow lead of 11 runs at tea. Their patient innings stalled England’s momentum and tilted the match toward a draw scenario.
Shubman Gill
Gill’s innings of 103 marked his fourth century of the series, making him only the third captain in Test history to do so in a single series (after Bradman and Gavaskar). His resilient effort, despite a hand injury, anchored India’s recovery alongside KL Rahul.
Combined, Jadeja and Sundar’s unbroken stand—and Gill’s earlier ton—made them the standout performers of the day.
Audience & Media Response
Media Coverage
Reuters highlighted India’s “determined fightback” via the Jadeja–Sundar stand, noting that England had failed to make breakthroughs in the afternoon session.
The Guardian called India’s afternoon batting “wicketless” and impactful, shifting the match toward a draw and lighting up hopes for India to retain series hopes.
Social Media & Fan Reaction
While direct social media quotes weren’t available, Indian fans and cricket forums widely lauded Gill’s leadership and Jadeja–Sundar partnership as “match‑saving displays.” MyKhel’s social-talk summary reflected significant chatter around these performances.
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users overwhelmingly praised the grit shown under pressure, particularly by Jadeja and Sundar, calling their innings “classic calm under fire.”
Former players and experts reiterated Gill’s achievement of four hundreds in a single series as historic and inspirational for Indian cricket.
Draw Likely, Series Still Open
As play approached its final session on India vs England 4th Test Day 5 , India sat at 322/4, leading by 11 with six wickets in hand. A draw now appears the most realistic outcome unless England can produce a late flurry of wickets and see enough time to bat again. India’s task: bat sensibly, rotate strike, and avoid disaster.
If rescued, India keeps the series alive and heads into the fifth Test on level terms. England remains in control for now, but India’s grit has made this contest far from over.
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