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Team India staged a strong comeback on Day 4 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, thanks to a determined 174-run partnership between KL Rahul (87 runs off 210 balls) and Shubman Gill (78 runs off 167 balls). The duo showed remarkable composure and technique after India suffered a shocking start to their second innings.

Gill-Rahul give India a fighting chance

Their unbeaten 180-run stand not only steadied the innings but also gave India a fighting chance to avoid a collapse and push the match towards a draw. At stumps on Day 4, India reached 174/2, still trailing England by 137 runs.

Chasing a huge first-innings deficit of 311 runs, India were rocked early as both openers — Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Sai Sudharsan — were dismissed without scoring. England’s pace attack, led by Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, exploited the early movement with precision, pushing India on the back foot right at the outset.

However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill weathered the storm with calmness and class. Rahul, back in the side and under pressure to perform, looked assured from the beginning, leaving well and punishing the loose balls. On the other end, Gill played with fluency, mixing aggression with caution and rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking.

India post 358 in first innings

Earlier in the match, India had posted a competitive 358 in their first innings, but it was overshadowed by England’s mammoth reply of 669, led by strong performances across the batting order, especially Joe Root (150).

With one day to go and the pitch showing signs of slowing down, the match appears to be heading toward a draw, unless there’s a dramatic collapse or a sporting declaration. England currently lead the five-match series 2-1, and a draw in Manchester will keep the series alive heading into the final Test.