Shubman Gill and KL Rahul held firm during a wicketless session, keeping India vs England Test Day 4 alive at Old Trafford. After a brutal first-over burst by Chris Woakes, India managed to go into tea at 86 for 2, still trailing by 225 runs. The duo ensured survival after the early blows, offering hope for a turnaround.
Gill’s Fifty Keeps India Afloat in Testing Conditions
The India vs England Test Day 4 encounter saw Gill reaching his fourth half-century of the series. Despite early pressure, he remained composed and capitalised on a dropped chance by Liam Dawson at gully. That let-off proved crucial. With this innings, Gill has surpassed Virat Kohli’s 2016 tally of 655 runs against England and now eyes Sunil Gavaskar’s 732-run record for most runs as an Indian captain in a series.
Stokes’ All-Round Brilliance Puts England in Command
Before India’s resistance, Ben Stokes took centre stage in the India vs England Test Day 4 drama. His 141-run knock broke a 35-innings drought without a century. Interestingly, he did not bowl during India’s second innings, perhaps due to fatigue after delivering a five-wicket haul earlier. Stokes joined the elite club of allrounders with 7000 runs and 200 wickets, alongside Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis.
*Day 4 Stumps | Manchester*
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India trail by 137 runs 🏏
Do or die on Day 5 — can India script a comeback or will England seal the series?
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England’s Mammoth Total Gives Massive Lead
England’s first innings total of 669, their fifth-highest in Test history, left India facing a daunting challenge. Their innings ended just before lunch, providing Woakes the perfect window. The pacer removed Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck and Sai Sudharsan cheaply, using precision and movement. The pressure of 157 overs in the field visibly affected India’s openers.
Final Thoughts on India vs England Test Day 4
The India vs England Test Day 4 narrative has been defined by England’s dominance and India’s fightback. Although the deficit remains significant, the unbeaten stand between Gill and Rahul could be the turning point. With one session remaining, the contest still hangs in the balance.
