India’s Grit Seals a Draw on Day 5 at Old Trafford
On July 27, 2025, a tense and tactical Day 5 at Emirates Old Trafford culminated in India saving the Fourth Test against England and keeping the series alive at 2–1. After early hopes of victory, England were denied by an inspired showing from India’s batsmen—headed by Shubman Gill’s fourth century of the series and a gritty lower order partnership from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
Early Defeat Thwarted: Gill & Rahul Stand Tall
India began Day 5 trailing by 88 runs, at 223/4, after England’s mammoth 669. Resuming with two entrenched batters:
- Shubman Gill, battling injury, compiled yet another masterful knock—finishing with 103 before being dismissed by a sharp Jofra Archer delivery. This was his fourth century of the series, equalling legends Sunil Gavaskar and Don Bradman as captains to achieve the feat in a single series.
- KL Rahul supported ably with 90, before falling LBW to Ben Stokes in what Stuart Broad later called an “unplayable” delivery, dramatically halting a crucial 188‑run third‑wicket partnership.
Once Gill exited around 223 for 4, India’s early momentum flagged. But their recovery had already tilted the psychological balance.
Jadeja & Sundar Walk It In: Lower Order Deny England
From 223/4, India’s lower order, led by:
- Ravindra Jadeja, steadying with disciplined strokeplay, and
- Washington Sundar, accumulating smartly to anchor the rearguard effort,
put together a 40-over, 154-run unbeaten stand, frustrating England’s bowlers. By stumps, India closed on 377/4, leading by 66 runs, with 15 overs left—effectively sealing the draw.
England tried everything—introducing spin, seam, short balls—but India refused to buckle. No further wickets fell, and chances that arose (including a smart catch AB dropped) went begging
Tactical Turning Points: Why India Held Firm
- Strategic partnership: Gill’s century and Rahul’s near‑hundred rescued India from early trouble and denied England momentum.
- England’s missed opportunities: Physio‑impacted Ben Stokes still took crucial wickets, but England dropped at least one sitter and failed to capitalize on pitch cracks via spin or short‑pitch bowling.
- Pitch incident: Old Trafford flattened out by Day 5—wearing out seam magic and reducing reverse swing. Spinners lacked turn, curbing wicket-taking threat.
Match Snapshot & Highlights
Phase | India Score | Key Outcomes |
---|---|---|
2nd Innings Start | 223/4 (trail by 88) | Gill–Rahul rescue stand charts recovery |
Gill & Rahul Partnership | 188 runs | Shifted momentum toward India |
Lower-order stand | 154* for 5th wicket | Jadeja and Sundar bat out final session for draw |
Final Score | 377/4 (lead by 66) | India survive; series continues to final Test |
Why This Draw Matters
- India keep the contest alive: With England now leading 2–1, the series heads to The Oval with everything to play for.
- Gill’s captaincy credentials soar: Four centuries in four Tests—historic consistency under pressure.
- Team resiliency shown: Youngers like Sundar and Kamboj (from earlier matches) stepped up mentally against a strong England attack.
- England’s top order dominance faded—lack of follow‑through and injury‑impacted Stokes restrained the push.
What’s Next
- Final Test at The Oval on Aug 4–8, 2025 becomes the decider.
- India now look to channel momentum from this draw—batting depth and spin resilience will be vital.
- England must reassess bowling execution in final days—they held control early but lacked the killer instinct late.
Day 5 at Old Trafford was a testament to India’s mental toughness. From early collapse to match-saving partnerships, their fight defined the Test. Gill and Rahul’s afternoon heroics followed by Jadeja and Sundar’s stamina in the final session denied England a series-clinching victory. As the curtain falls on Manchester, cricket fans get an enticing finale: The Oval awaits the fifth Test—likely to settle a fiercely-contested series.
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