Shubman Gill weathered a storm of testing deliveries and mounting scoreboard pressure to reach a composed half-century and lead India's tentative resistance on the penultimate day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on Saturday.
After a morning dominated by England, whose tail wagged spiritedly under Ben Stokes' brilliance to post 669, India collapsed to one for two before Gill and K L Rahul steadied nerves with a diligent, unbeaten partnership.
Gill, unbeaten on 52 off 80 balls, endured probing spells from Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, while Rahul (30 not out off 93) offered sturdy companionship. At tea, India were 86 for two, still 225 runs adrift with eight wickets in hand.
The Indian captain’s innings had its share of drama. He was tested repeatedly by inswingers from Archer but held firm, unfurling elegant cover and straight drives once he settled. A moment of fortune aided him on 46 when Liam Dawson grassed a sharp chance at backward point off Carse.
Gill’s strokeplay sparkled briefly, consecutive boundaries against Archer through the off-side followed by twin fours off Carse, including a regal on-drive, stood out in an otherwise conservative session.
Earlier, India endured a disastrous start to their second innings. Facing a daunting 311-run deficit, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Sai Sudharsan were dismissed in successive deliveries before lunch by Chris Woakes.
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Jaiswal nicked a flick to slip where Joe Root clung on after a fumble, while Sudharsan perished to a loose leave, handing Harry Brook a catch at second slip — a double blow that plunged India into deep trouble within the first over.
India’s bowlers showed greater control and energy on Saturday morning. Jasprit Bumrah (33-5-112-2) and Mohammed Siraj bowled probing spells, but Stokes’ assertive century took the match beyond their grasp.
Resuming at 544 for seven, England added 125 runs with ease. Stokes, beginning the day with a dismissive cover drive off Siraj, accelerated in typically belligerent style. He brought up his century with a tickle down leg and raised the bat for the first time in two years.
The England captain’s knock of 141 off 198 deliveries was crowned by a towering six down the ground off Washington Sundar. With that, he became only the third player after Jacques Kallis and Garry Sobers to achieve the double of 7,000 Test runs and 200 wickets.
India’s inability to contain England also meant they conceded 600 or more runs in an innings for the first time since 2014 — a chastening marker of the imbalance between bat and ball in this contest.
While Gill and Rahul provided temporary respite, India remain entrenched in peril. With only two days remaining and England’s lead looming large, the task to save the Test looks increasingly uphill.
Scoreboard for 4th Test – Day 4, Tea
England – 1st Innings:
669 all out
India – 2nd Innings:
86/2 at Tea (Trail by 225 runs)
-
Shubman Gill: 52* (80)
-
K L Rahul: 30* (93)
-
Yashasvi Jaiswal: 0
-
Sai Sudharsan: 0
Fall of wickets:
1-0 (Jaiswal), 2-1 (Sudharsan)
Not out:
Gill 52*, Rahul 30*
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