IND vs ENG 4th Test: Jadeja, Sundar Pull Off Dramatic Draw To Keep Series Alive
Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja batted for over two sessions to help India avoid a decisive defeat and secure a draw on Sunday, keeping the series alive as they head to the finale at The Oval.
After conceding a 311-run lead and losing both openers for ducks in the second innings, India showed great determination to achieve a favourable outcome, thanks to captain Shubman Gill (103 off 238), K L Rahul (90 off 230), Jadeja (107 not out off 185), and Washington (101 not out off 206).
With Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer removing a well-set Gill and Rahul in the morning, England sensed a series-winning victory. However, Jadeja and Washington remained steadfast before capitalising on the bowlers towards the end of the day.
Just before the final hour of play, Ben Stokes wanted to end the game, but India decided to continue with Washington and Jadeja aiming for their deserved hundreds. Stokes was clearly displeased.
Harry Brook started offering easy deliveries to Jadeja and Washington as a sign of his disapproval of India's decision to continue playing. The players shook hands after Jadeja and Washington reached their milestones, with Washington scoring his maiden Test century.
The day five pitch didn't pose many challenges, although some movement and variable bounce were evident in the morning session when Gill and Rahul got out after a 188-run partnership.
Given the match situation, the determined resistance from India's two left-handed batsmen in the second and final session was reminiscent of R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari's match-saving stand in the Sydney Test of 2021.
Rishabh Pant, nursing a broken foot, was available to bat in the second innings but did not need to come out, avoiding further injury.
This was only England's second draw in the 40 Tests played during the Bazball era, with the previous one also at Old Trafford during the 2023 Ashes, where weather played a significant role.
The pitch here has been on the drier side throughout the domestic season, with four games resulting in draws.
With both sides struggling to keep their fast bowlers fit in this long and challenging series, it will be interesting to see how many first-choice pacers participate in the fifth Test in London starting on July 31.
At tea, India were 322 for four after scoring 99 runs during a wicketless afternoon session.
Stokes, who looked dangerous in his eight-over spell in the morning, couldn't maintain the same intensity in the three overs he bowled in the second session.
In a 15-run over from Stokes, Washington hit the England captain for a six and a four to reach his fifty, while Jadeja used the cut shot to complete his fifth half-century in six innings.
England struggled because left-arm spinner Liam Dawson couldn't challenge the Indian left-handers enough, and Archer couldn't get a breakthrough after lunch. Dawson failed to exploit the rough outside the left-hander's off-stump.
In the morning session, Gill completed a brave century after Stokes dismissed a well-set K L Rahul, leaving India at 223 for four at lunch.
Starting the day at 174 for two with a deficit of 137, India stayed on track to draw the game thanks to Gill's fighting effort, who achieved his fourth century of the series. The Indian captain was dismissed just before lunch with India still trailing England by 88 runs.
Considering India's precarious position and the series on the line, this could be Gill's defining century if India managed to save the match and keep the series alive.
Expecting the ball to come in, Gill reached for an Archer delivery that moved away, getting a faint edge.
The 188-run partnership between Gill and Rahul (90 off 230) ended when the latter was trapped in front by Stokes with a ball that stayed a bit low.
Shortly after, Stokes got one to bounce sharply from a similar length, causing Rahul significant pain.
The rising ball first struck Gill's right thumb before hitting his helmet.
It was remarkable that Stokes, who wasn't fit enough to bowl on day four, managed an eight-over spell on day five despite discomfort in his right shoulder and hamstring. Like at Lord's, he disregarded his injury-prone body to help his team.
The new ball was taken after the 80th over, resulting in Gill's dismissal. Jadeja could have been out on the first ball, but Joe Root couldn't hold onto a tough chance at first slip off Archer.
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First Published:
July 27, 2025, 22:39 IST
News cricket IND vs ENG 4th Test: Jadeja, Sundar Pull Off Dramatic Draw To Keep Series Alive
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