KL Rahul and Shubman Gill’s unbeaten partnership of 174 runs secured two wicketless sessions following England’s dominant performance on the fourth morning of the fourth Test in Manchester. With an impressive innings from their captain Ben Stokes, England established a substantial lead of 311 runs and quickly unsettled India with two early wickets. However, Rahul and Gill mounted a steady comeback, facing over 370 balls during their partnership, which allowed India to conclude the day at 174/2, trailing by 137 runs.
India bowls out India for a score of 669
Stokes spearheaded the effort with an impressive 141 in the morning session – marking his first Test century in over two years – which enabled the home team to amass a formidable total of 669. India had aimed to dismiss the lower order swiftly on a dreary Manchester morning, but Stokes had different intentions. Following Dawson’s early dismissal by Jasprit Bumrah, the English captain initiated a counteroffensive, achieving his century with a leg glance off Mohammed Siraj and subsequently adding 41 runs in just 34 balls. In the process, he became only the third allrounder in Test history to achieve the remarkable feat of 7000 runs and 200 wickets. Carse contributed a quick 47 as England aggressively targeted both spin and pace, before being bowled out just prior to Lunch.
The momentum continued unabated. With India needing to survive three overs before the interval, Woakes executed a devastating double-wicket maiden that left the visitors in shock. Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught out by the away movement, while Sai Sudharsan succumbed to indecision, both players edging behind on successive deliveries. India had yet to score in their second innings when the damage was inflicted. Gill then narrowly escaped a close LBW appeal on the hat-trick ball and managed to navigate through the session.
KL Rahul and Shubman Gill gets India going
Gill and Rahul provided stability to India’s second innings with a composed partnership during a wicketless second session, following a chaotic three-over spell before Lunch that had left them in a precarious position. Gill scored a fluent half-century, and together with a cautious Rahul, guided India to 86/2 at Tea. England’s seam bowlers, spearheaded by Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer, bowled with precision, generating numerous lbw appeals and frequently beating the bat. Archer had a close lbw appeal against Gill reviewed early in the session, but the on-field decision of not-out was upheld. Gill also endured a blow to the glove, while Rahul faced deliveries that jagged in sharply.
Despite the mounting pressure, the duo managed to relieve it with occasional boundaries. Gill executed a series of graceful shots, including a cover drive and an upper cut off Archer. Carse and Woakes persisted in their probing, but England wasted a second review when Carse struck Gill on the pad, with replays indicating it was missing leg. Gill experienced a stroke of luck when Dawson dropped him at gully, and Rahul also survived a top-edged sweep that fell safely. Gill ultimately reached another fifty in the series as India entered Tea without incurring further losses.
Dawson commenced the final session with three consecutive maidens, yet the Indian batsmen were unhurried, displaying patience as they built a hundred-run partnership. Rahul also surpassed fifty, and a few boundaries ensued as Archer was struck for three fours. Dawson switched to over the wicket for an over before reverting back. Meanwhile, England missed Stokes’ bowling services, as he was struggling with a hamstring issue, although he remained on the field. England also attempted short-ball tactics with Carse coming around the wicket and delivering back of length balls, but no significant damage was inflicted.
Dawson managed to deliver one arm ball that swiftly reached Gill, nearly resulting in a leg before wicket, but he was saved by an inside edge. Aside from that, the Indian batsmen faced little difficulty as they extended their partnership beyond 150 runs. Rahul subsequently hit two fours off Woakes, while Gill deftly glanced a delivery from Dawson for a boundary. Dawson and Root bowled in unison before the Stumps, yet they were unable to break the third-wicket partnership.
SCORECARD: India 358 & 174/2 (KL Rahul 87*, Shubman Gill 78*; Chris Woakes 2-48) trail England 669 (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141; Ravindra Jadeja 4-143) by 137 runs.