MANCHESTER — India's Shubman Gill and KL Rahul staged a defiant partnership to keep England at bay on the fourth day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, leaving the hosts with plenty to ponder as they push for a series-levelling victory. The duo's resilience ensured India reached 214-3 at stumps, still trailing by 245 runs but with hopes of salvaging a draw alive.
England, who declared their first innings at 432-9, had India reeling at 39-2 early in their second innings before Gill (65*) and Rahul (48*) steadied the ship with an unbroken 114-run stand. Their disciplined approach frustrated England's bowlers, particularly James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, who had earlier struck crucial blows to remove openers Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply.
England's Early Dominance Fades
The morning session had appeared to tilt decisively in England's favor. Anderson, playing on his home ground, trapped Rohit Sharma lbw for 12 with a trademark inswinger, while Robinson produced a sharp bouncer to dismiss Pujara (17), caught behind by Jonny Bairstow. "We knew we had to be patient," said England captain Joe Root. "The pitch isn't offering as much as we'd hoped, but we'll keep plugging away."
However, Gill and Rahul gradually wrested back control with a mix of caution and calculated aggression. Key to their resistance:
- Gill's compact defense against England's seamers
- Rahul's judicious shot selection, particularly through the off-side
- Minimizing risks against Moeen Ali's spin, which proved ineffective on the slow surface
The Gill-Rahul Partnership
The partnership wasn't without its nervy moments. Gill survived a close lbw shout off Anderson when on 23, with DRS showing the ball would have clipped the top of leg stump. Rahul, meanwhile, edged Robinson just short of second slip when on 30. "They rode their luck at times," admitted England coach Chris Silverwood, "but credit to them for making us work so hard."
Gill Finds Form
For Gill, this innings marked a return to form after struggling earlier in the series. His fifty came off 112 balls, featuring seven crisp boundaries. The 22-year-old showed particular confidence driving through cover, while his ability to leave the ball outside off stump improved markedly from previous Tests.
Rahul, playing his first Test since 2019, continued his impressive comeback. Though he fell short of a half-century, his contribution was arguably more valuable given the match situation. His ability to rotate strike (38 of his runs came in singles) prevented England from building sustained pressure.
England's Bowling Concerns
England's attack, so potent in the first innings, looked increasingly weary as the day progressed. Anderson (1-33) remained economical but lacked his usual menace, while Robinson (1-47) struggled with his consistency after an impressive opening spell. The biggest worry was Moeen Ali, who conceded 45 wicketless overs from his 15 overs.
"We might have to think about using Root more tomorrow," Silverwood hinted, referring to the part-time off-spinner who dismissed Virat Kohli in the first innings. "The pitch is slowing up, and we need to create more opportunities."
Weather Could Play Its Part
With rain forecast for much of the final day, England face a race against time to force a result. They need seven more wickets on a surface that's showing increasing signs of wear but hasn't deteriorated as rapidly as expected. Cracks are appearing, but the bounce remains largely true, making life difficult for both spinners and seamers.
India, meanwhile, will look to Gill and Rahul to continue their resistance. The new ball is due in 12 overs, which could prove pivotal. If they survive that period, India might just escape with a draw that would retain their 2-1 series lead heading to the final Test at The Oval.
What They Said
India batting coach Vikram Rathour praised his team's character: "After losing two early wickets, it would have been easy to fold. But Gill and Rahul showed tremendous temperament. Tomorrow is about survival first, then we'll see where we are after lunch."
England's Robinson acknowledged the challenge ahead: "We've created chances but haven't taken them. The pitch isn't doing as much as yesterday, but if we stick to our plans and get one, two could quickly become three or four."
As stumps were drawn, the match hung delicately in the balance. England remain favorites, but India's middle order - with Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja still to come - have the talent to frustrate the hosts further. One thing is certain: the first session on the final day could decide whether this Test ends in an England victory or a hard-fought Indian draw.