Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja batted through more than two sessions to rescue India from the brink of a crushing defeat and secure a memorable draw here on Sunday, ensuring the fiercely contested series remains alive heading into the final Test at The Oval.
After conceding a 311-run lead and losing both openers for a duck in the second innings, India showed remarkable grit to force a favourable result. Much of the credit goes to captain Shubman Gill (103 off 238 balls), K L Rahul (90 off 230), Jadeja (107 not out off 185) and Washington (101 not out off 206).
England captain Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer struck early blows on the final morning, removing Gill and Rahul when they appeared well set, giving the hosts hope of clinching the series. But Jadeja and Washington dug in doggedly, frustrating the bowlers and steadily working towards a safe position.
As the final hour approached, Stokes signalled his wish to call off play but India pressed on, with both Jadeja and Washington nearing deserved centuries.
Stokes was visibly unimpressed as Harry Brook began to send down innocuous deliveries in protest at India’s refusal to wrap up. The sides eventually shook hands once both batters had reached their milestones, with Washington registering his maiden Test hundred.
On the last-day pitch, there was not much threat, although the morning session did see some variable bounce and movement that accounted for Gill and Rahul after their resolute 188-run partnership.
Given the context, the determined resistance from Jadeja and Washington recalled memories of R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari’s heroic stand that saved the Sydney Test in 2021.
India did not need to call upon Rishabh Pant, who was nursing a broken foot and was available to bat if needed, avoiding the risk of aggravating his injury.
This draw was only England’s second in 40 Tests since the advent of the Bazball era, the last also coming at Old Trafford during the 2023 Ashes when rain forced a stalemate. The surface in Manchester has been on the dry side all domestic season, with four matches here ending in draws.
Both teams are struggling with fast-bowling injuries through this gruelling series, raising questions over how many first-choice quicks will be fit for the fifth Test, which begins in London on 31 July.
At tea, India were 322 for four, having added 99 runs in a wicketless afternoon session.
Stokes, who bowled an inspired eight-over spell in the morning, could not sustain the same energy later in the day, sending down only three overs in the second session.
Washington cashed in with a six and a four off Stokes to bring up his fifty, while Jadeja cut powerfully to notch up his fifth half-century in six innings.
England’s bid for wickets was hampered by left-arm spinner Liam Dawson’s inability to pose any real challenge to India’s left-handers. Archer, too, failed to break through after lunch as Dawson struggled to exploit the rough outside the left-handers’ off stump.
Earlier, Gill completed a determined century before Stokes, despite battling pain, dismissed Rahul to leave India on 223 for four at lunch.
Resuming at 174 for two and trailing by 137 runs, India stayed on track for a draw thanks to Gill’s fourth hundred of the series — arguably his most significant, given the dire situation.
Gill fell at the stroke of lunch, still 88 runs behind England. Expecting an inswinger, he edged one that shaped away off Archer. The 188-run stand with Rahul was broken when Stokes trapped Rahul lbw with a ball that kept slightly low.
Moments later, Stokes struck Gill with a rising delivery that hit his thumb and deflected onto his helmet, underlining the England skipper’s commitment to the cause despite shoulder and hamstring discomfort. He had not bowled on day four but ignored his body’s protests to deliver a telling spell.
The new ball taken after the 80th over did the trick for England, ending Gill’s marathon innings. Jadeja could have fallen first ball, but Joe Root spilled a tough chance off Archer at slip.
Scoreboard on day five of the fourth Test between India and England here on Sunday.
India 1st innings: 358 England 1st innings 669 India 2nd innings (overnight 174/2 in 63 overs) Yashasvi Jaiswal c Root b Chris Woakes 0 KL Rahul lbw b Stokes 90 Sai Sudharsan c Harry Brook b Chris Woakes 0 Shubman Gill c Jamie Smith b Jofra Archer 103 Washington Sundar not out 101 Ravindra Jadeja not out 107 Extras: (B-14, LB-2, W-2, NB-6) 24 Total: (Four wickets, 143 overs) 425 Fall of wickets: 0-1, 0-2, 188-3, 222-4 Bowling: Chris Woakes 23-4-67-2, Jofra Archer 23-3-78-1, Brydon Carse 17-3-44-0, Liam Dawson 47-11-95-0, Joe Root1 19-2-68-0, Ben Stokes 11-2-33-1, Harry Brook 3-0-24-0.
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