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India vs England: India Salvage Sensational Draw at Manchester to Keep Series Alive

Old Trafford, Manchester

In an enthralling final day at Old Trafford, India battled back from 0‑2 in the second innings to force a dramatic draw against England, keeping the five‑match Test series alive with England leading 2‑1.

Stunning Resistance Under Pressure

England had mounted a mammoth 669, the highest-ever Test innings total at Old Trafford, featuring a big contribution from Joe Root and strong starts from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. India replied poorly in their first innings, falling to a 311-run deficit as England’s bowlers dominated.

On Day 4, India stumbled early, losing two wickets in the first over of their second innings, before captain Shubman Gill (78*) and KL Rahul (87*) steadied the ship with a pivotal 174‑run unbeaten partnership, shutting the door on England’s momentum.

A Century-Laden Comeback

Day 5 saw India claw back with character: Gill carried on to score 103, marking his fourth Test hundred of the series, equalling the record of Sir Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar as captains with four hundreds in a single series—a record surpassing Virat Kohli under the same circumstances. Rahul’s grit ended at 90, dismissed by Ben Stokes, who later emerged as Player of the Match after his all‑round heroics (141 runs and six wickets).

Following Gill’s dismissal by Jofra Archer, the lower order rose impressively: Ravindra Jadeja (107*), continuing his series brilliance, and Washington Sundar (101*), in what was his maiden Test hundred, batted unbroken through the remaining 143 overs to secure the draw.

A crucial dropped catch by Joe Root before lunch on Day 5, when Jadeja was in the 90s, proved decisive.

India rebuffed England’s early offer of a draw, opting to bat on and allow Jadeja and Sundar to reach their individual milestones—drawing visible frustration from Ben Stokes.

Former India spinner Sanjay Manjrekar hailed the Gill–Rahul partnership as remarkable resilience, but voiced concern over India’s thin batting resources beyond them.

England failed to take further wickets despite bowling 143 overs, dropping catches and appearing short on ideas against India’s stubborn tail‑end resistance.

Series Now Live: All Thoughts Turn to The Oval

With the fourth Test ending in a drawn thriller, the series stands at 2‑1 in England’s favor. India can still level the series in the final Test at The Oval, buoyed by a spirited fightback that showcased grit, strategy, and lower‑order heroics.


Match Statistics & Highlights at a Glance

Category England India
1st Innings Score 669 Trailed by 311
2nd Innings Start Took 2 early wickets India 0/2 before Gill–Rahul stand
Key Partnerships Root–Duckett, Crawley–opening stand Gill–Rahul (174*), Jadeja–Sundar (143 overs)
Century Makers Ben Stokes (141) Gill (103), Jadeja (107*), Sundar (101*)
Player of the Match Ben Stokes
Final Result Draw Resilient batting rescued match
Series Status Lead 2‑1 Still alive for final Test

Iconic Captaincy by Gill
Achieving four centuries as captain in a single overseas series places Gill alongside legends like Gavaskar and Bradman—and positions him ahead of former Indian captain Virat Kohli in this rare record.

Depth & Resilience on Display
With Rahul’s 90 taking the pressure off and Jadeja and Sundar digging in under extreme stress, India’s lower order delivered a masterclass of patience and technique—essential lessons for future tours where depth is tested.

England’s Missed Opportunities
Despite taking early advantage, England couldn’t seal a win due to missed chances and tactical missteps—especially the dropped catch of Jadeja. Stokes delivered his usual all‑round performance but lacked enough support from others.

The Oval Test Becomes a Grand Finale
All eyes now shift to The Oval, where India must win—or at least draw more convincingly—to level the series. England, on the other hand, seeks to capitalize on home advantage and clinch a historic series win.

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Shuvam Das

My name is Shuvam Das, currently I am doing Graduation, also I am passionate about Technology, and writing tech, gadgets, mobiles, etc.

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