India Holds England to Draw in Fourth Test After Jadeja-Sundar’s Unbeaten 203-Run Stand
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In a dramatic turnaround at Old Trafford, Manchester, Team India showcased remarkable grit and resilience to draw a Test match that seemed all but lost. Facing a daunting deficit of 311 runs after the first innings, India batted for a marathon 143 overs in their second innings, led by stunning centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who stitched together an unbeaten 203-run partnership.
The draw means England leads the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series 2-1, with the final Test to be played at The Oval, London, from July 31.
India Fights Back After Massive First-Innings Lead for England
England posted a towering first-innings score of 669 runs, fuelled by commanding knocks from Joe Root (150), Ben Stokes (141), Ben Duckett (94), Zak Crawley (84), and Ollie Pope (71). In reply, India managed only 358, despite gritty fifties by Sai Sudharsan (61), Yashasvi Jaiswal (58), and Rishabh Pant (54).
England’s bowling attack, led by Ben Stokes (5 wickets) and Jofra Archer (3 wickets), seemed poised to seal victory, having enforced a follow-on and put India under immense pressure.
Gill Continues to Shine with Fourth Century of the Series
India’s second innings began with a sense of urgency and intent. Captain Shubman Gill once again led from the front with a composed century, his fourth of the series, placing him in elite company. With this feat, he joined legends Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar, both of whom had also scored four centuries in a single series.
Remarkably, Gill has now become the only player in history to score four tons in his debut series as Test captain, surpassing the likes of Virat Kohli, Greg Chappell, and Steve Smith, who had scored three each in their respective debut captaincy series.
Jadeja and Sundar Save the Day with Historic 203-Run Stand
After early wickets fell in the second innings, it was the unbroken partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar that turned the match on its head. The duo held firm against a relentless English attack, occupying the crease for over 50 overs and batting out the final day.
- In the 134th over, their partnership reached the 150-run mark with a boundary from Jadeja.
- By the 143rd over, the pair brought up their 200-run stand, with Sundar stroking a four off Harry Brook.
Jadeja reached his century in style, smashing a six over long-on and raising his bat and helmet in celebration. Sundar, too, got to his well-deserved hundred shortly after, ensuring India crossed the 400-run mark.
Sundar and Jadeja Reject England’s Draw Proposal to Chase Personal Milestones
In an unusual moment of the match, England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake proposal to end the game in a draw during the final session. But Jadeja and Sundar refused, both eyeing their respective centuries, which they eventually achieved—demonstrating both composure and competitive spirit.
Ravindra Jadeja Crosses 1,000 Runs in England, Joins Elite Club
With this innings, Jadeja also completed 1,000 Test runs in England, becoming only the third overseas player to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 30+ wickets in the country. The only others to do so are Bill Rhodes (England) and Garry Sobers (West Indies), placing Jadeja among cricket’s greatest all-rounders.
India’s Second Innings by the Numbers
- Final Score: 425/4 (declared)
- Overs Batted: 143
- Key Scores:
- Shubman Gill – 102
- Ravindra Jadeja – 109*
- Washington Sundar – 106*
- KL Rahul – 90
India’s disciplined approach and determined batting ensured they avoided an innings defeat and turned a potentially demoralizing loss into a moral victory heading into the final Test.
Looking Ahead: Decisive Final Test at The Oval
With the fourth Test ending in a draw, England holds a 2-1 series lead, keeping their hopes alive for a home series victory. However, if India wins the fifth and final Test at The Oval starting July 31, they will draw the series for the second consecutive time on English soil—something they last achieved in the 2021–22 tour.
Playing XIs:
India:
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj.
England:
Ben Stokes (C), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes.
Conclusion: Grit, Records, and Momentum Ahead of Series Finale
India’s incredible comeback at Old Trafford will be remembered as one of the most spirited fightbacks in recent Test history. The record partnership between Jadeja and Sundar, the milestones achieved by Gill and Jadeja, and the refusal to back down even under pressure have given the Indian team momentum and belief ahead of the final showdown in London.
With the series hanging in the balance, all eyes now turn to The Oval, where cricket fans can expect yet another thrilling contest between two competitive sides.
