Resolute India put up brilliant batting performance with three tons to eke out gritty draw in 4th Test
India, against the odds, salvaged a draw in the fourth Test with a show of grit and sheer defiance at Old Trafford on Sunday, and kept alive its hopes of tying the five-match series at the Oval. England leads the series 2-1.
India was 425-4 in their second innings - including three centuries - and 114 runs ahead when an early end to the final session was called.
This Test might not have matched the drama at Lord's when England won by 22 runs, but it was engrossing throughout five days in Manchester, with India turning the tide after looking like being swept away.
By Sunday evening, India's collapse in the opening over of its second innings a day earlier seemed an age away. At 0-2 at that point and 311 runs behind, the series looked lost.
Not on Shubman Gill's watch. Not with an Indian batting order of such quality it has the top four run-scorers in the series.
Top of the lot is Gill, who hit his fourth century of the series to provide the platform for the recovery. He was supported by KL Rahul (90), Ravindra Jadeja (107 not out) and Washington Sundar (101 not out) and, combined, they frustrated an England attack that simply ran out of ideas.
It sets up a tense final test, which starts on Thursday. How quickly things change.
When the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan went in successive balls from Chris Woakes before lunch on Saturday, India was in crisis at 0-2.
In came captain Gill and his team hardly looked back. His partnership of 188 with Rahul held firm through the next two sessions and deep into the following morning.
The series-leading run-maker's reached 103 before his near seven-hour stand over two days was put to a stop when caught by Jamie Smith off Joffra Archer.
Gill is now on 722 for the series, while second-placed Rahul is on 511.
The dismissal of that formidable pair before lunch raised England hopes, but there was more pain to come with the double-century partnership of Jadeja and Sundar guiding India to a draw.
With India resuming the day on 174-2 and trailing by 137, England was crying out for Ben Stokes.
And he didn't take long to deliver. Ultimately, though, it wasn't enough.
After fitness concerns ruled him out of bowling on day 4, England's captain was back with the ball and quickly claimed his 17th wicket of the series when Rahul went leg before wicket.
It was a reminder of just how badly he was missed from England's attack as Gill and Rahul batted so defiantly.
Stokes, who had retired hurt with cramp on day 3 and then returned to reach 141, had decided not to bowl at all on day 4.
It was hardly surprising his absence was felt, given the 34-year-old Stokes is the lead wicket-taker in the series and took five in India's first innings. His brilliant performance came after he underwent surgery in January following a second hamstring injury in five months and dubbed himself the bionic man.
The result might have been different if he had been fit to play a full involvement in the second innings, but, frequently holding the back of his leg after each ball on Sunday, his effectiveness was limited and India took advantage.
It is too close to call heading into the final test at the Oval.
Agencies
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
England in driving seat as India reach 204-6 in 5th Test
England gained the upper hand after a rain-hit first day of the final Test against India at The Oval on Thursday as the tourists, needing victory to square the series, battled to 204-6, with all their big guns dismissed cheaply. England had to work hard for their breakthroughs and will be delighted to have got rid of KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill, the men who have tormented them throughout the summer, though captain Gill gifted his wicket with a suicidal run-out. Even though there are four days remaining, India's chances of fighting their way into a position where they could force a victory already look extremely slim. The overcast morning conditions had looked ideal for England's all-seam attack, even without injured captain Ben Stokes, but they lacked a cutting edge. Recalled Gus Atkinson trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for two as stand-in captain Ollie Pope finally got on the right side of a DRS review after 14 unsuccessful appeals last year. Rahul, with over 500 runs to his name from the first four matches, looked relatively untroubled before playing-on to Chris Woakes for 14 as India reached lunch on 72-2. Gill, averaging over 90 and with four centuries to his name in the series, then inexplicably set off for a non-existent single and was run out by four yards as bowler Atkinson had time to transfer the ball to his right hand before throwing down the stumps. Gill had started the day with all sorts of records in his sights but, by adding only 21, he achieved only a couple as his tally of 743 took him beyond West Indies' Garfield Sobers (722 in 1966) as the highest-scoring visiting captain and also moved him into the top nine for the most runs scored in a series in England - either for or against the hosts. After a rain-delayed restart, a wayward Josh Tongue, whose first over lasted nine balls and went for 12 runs, finally found his line to nip the edge of Sai Sudharsan's bat to dismiss him for 38. Tongue repeated the feat soon afterwards to remove Jadeja – who scored a superb unbeaten century in his team's rearguard action in the fourth Test - for nine and India were reeling on 123-5 with their big-hitters all gone, or in the case of Rishabh Pant, absent through injury. Dhruv Jurel, a ball after overturning an lbw decision against him, then got tucked up by Atkinson and was caught neatly at second slip by Harry Brook for 19. Karun Nair batted calmly to finish on 52 not out and Washington Sundar, another centurion last Sunday, was on 19 at the close as the impressive Atkinson finished the day with figures of two for 31 off 19 overs. It was a less enjoyable day for Woakes, who suffered a serious-looking shoulder injury after falling heavily as he dived to try to prevent a boundary in the final overs.
Int'l Cricket Council
10 hours ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Karun Nair stands tall as England pacers turn up the heat ICC World Test Championship
On a rain-affected Day 1 of the final Test at The Oval between India and England, Karun Nair's fighting half-century kept India in the hunt after England's pacers snuffed out regular wickets, with the visitors ending the day at 204/6. With the series poised precariously – India need a win to secure a 2-2 draw, while England need victory to secure the series – India were asked to bat by England after winning a rain-delayed toss. Both teams made four changes heading into the final Test. For India, Karun Nair and Akash Deep returned after missing the Manchester Test. Dhruv Jurel replaced the injured Rishabh Pant, while Prasidh Krishna returned to the XI for the first time since the opening Test. England fielded a new-look bowling lineup featuring Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue, with Jacob Bethell included to bolster the batting depth. The returning Atkinson made an instant impact once play got underway, trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal leg before in the third over to give England the ideal start. KL Rahul weathered a challenging spell thereafter, but couldn't make the most of his hard work, chopping one onto his stumps off the bowling of Chris Woakes. India captain Shubman Gill then took charge, not allowing England to settle. With the steely Sai Sudharsan looking steady at the other end, India moved to 72/2 when rain forced an early Lunch. When play resumed, Gill and Sudharsan were tasked with navigating a tricky phase where the ball was swinging considerably. However, it was a communication mix-up between the two that led to the run-out of the Indian skipper, handing England a crucial breakthrough. Shortly after, rain once again interrupted play, after which Tea was called early. After a lengthy delay, the skies finally cleared, allowing for an extended final session – and England made merry. They started strongly, dismissing the well-set Sudharsan. Josh Tongue delivered a beautiful outswinger that found the edge of Sudharsan's bat. The pacer then produced a near-identical delivery to remove Ravindra Jadeja – one of India's heroes in Manchester – giving England two quickfire wickets. Nair and Dhruv Jurel added a crucial 30 runs for India, but England didn't allow the partnership to become anything more. Atkinson tempted Jurel into having a pop at one that was shaping away, and the edge was brilliantly taken by Harry Brook in the slips. It was then that Nair was joined by Washington Sundar, who had scored his maiden Test century in Manchester. The duo put together an unbroken 51-run stand for the seventh wicket, ensuring India crossed the 200-run mark. England also had injury concerns when Woakes sustained a suspected shoulder issue while fielding, and was forced off the field. Nair and Sundar provided much-needed stability for India at the end of the day, setting the scene for an intruging Day 2 at The Oval. ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsICC World Test Championship, 2025/27
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
First Russian woman to complete English Channel swim opens up about UAE's endurance swimmers
Recently, Elvis Ali Hazarika, a highly accomplished Indian swimmer, made headlines once again by completing the English Channel swim, the iconic open-water swimming challenge from England to France, in a relay mode. A former South Asian Games silver medalist in 50m and 100m freestyle, the 41-year-old has been in hot pursuit of excellence since switching to open-water swimming eight years ago. His career highlights as an endurance swimmer also include a two-way swim between Cape Town and Robben Island. 'This journey wasn't just about endurance, strength, or cold waters — it was about the fire that burns within, and the love and support that surrounds you,' Hazarika wrote on social media hours after accomplishing the English Channel relay feat. While India may not have produced Olympic and World Championship medalists in the pool, Hazarika is the latest in a long list of endurance swimmers from the South Asian country. Endurance swimming in UAE So that brings us to the UAE, a melting pot of cultures and an elite sporting destination. The UAE has not only hosted the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in 2010 and 2021, but it has also produced swimmers who have qualified for the Olympics. So can we expect to see endurance swimmers from the UAE who can take on the world's biggest open-water challenges? If you throw this question at Natalya Pankina, a Dubai resident and the first Russian woman to complete the English Channel solo swim, you will feel a wave of optimism. 'It's not impossible. I am hopeful that somebody from the UAE will emerge and do this in the future,' said Pankina, who represented the Russian national open-water team for more than 10 years. Pankina then opened up about the challenges of becoming an elite endurance swimmer. 'To become a top (open-water) swimmer, you need to put in a lot of effort, you need to be mentally very strong,' she said. 'Also, the ability to cope with cold water in the sea is key. And last but not least, you need to be patient and wait for the right time after the right amount of physical and mental training.' Outdoor swimming is gaining momentum in the UAE with the Dubai Sports Council organising a host of open-water events, including the La Mer Open Water Swim and Arena Open Water Swim. 'In the last 10 years or so, open-water swimming has become more popular in the UAE,' said Pankina, who moved to Dubai in 2010. 'So many events now happen here, and even many Emiratis participate in them. So it's very encouraging to see this, and hopefully someone will emerge and take the big challenges (in the future).' Need full-time swimmers Pankina was an elite athlete who also came tantalisingly close to winning a medal at the 2007 World Championship, missing the bronze by 10 seconds in the 25km open-water event. The UAE, on the other hand, sees mostly amateurs jumping into the seawater. Two such Dubai-based amateurs are Maher El-Tabchy, a businessman, and Eric Robertsen, a banker by profession, who share a love for endurance swimming. In March this year, El-Tabchy and Robertsen joined hands and swam 29 kilometres from The World Islands to the Dubai shore to raise awareness about autism and juvenile arthritis. 'Both of them (Maher and Eric) are very good,' said Pankina, who trains swimmers at I Love Supersport academy. 'Maher is stubborn. Once he sets a goal for himself in terms of what challenge he will take, he goes hard for it. Eric is also very strong and dedicated, and I know he has the ambition to do the English Channel.' But having an ambition alone is not enough to be ready for the mother of all endurance swimming challenges. 'They (Robertsen and El-Tabchy) have their families, businesses and jobs to take care of. They are not full-time swimmers,' Pankina said. 'They have taken some open-water swimming challenges abroad, but to do the big ones like the English Channel, you need to be completely devoted to swimming. That's why it's not easy for amateurs." Making of an endurance swimmer Pankina, who was trained to be an elite endurance swimmer from a very young age, completed the English Channel Solo swim in August 2007, becoming the first woman from Russia to achieve the feat. She took eight hours and 11 minutes to cover the distance of 33 kilometres from England to France. 'If I had started the swim 45 minutes earlier, I would have broken the world record for women,' the 42-year-old recalled. 'My time was 20 minutes ahead of the world record until the last five kilometres, but the weather conditions and the currents changed dramatically, and I lost out on the world record. 'Having said that, finishing it and becoming the first Russian woman to do it was a great moment in my life because the English Channel swim is so famous. But I also did a lot of open-water challenges in Russia, which were even tougher because of the conditions, the water was so cold!' While Pankina is proud of her English Channel exploits, she hopes to produce a swimmer in the UAE who can put the country on the global map of long-distance swimming. 'The most important thing is to have a special mindset because it's a huge mental work, the mental challenge is even bigger than the physical challenge,' she said. 'I was part of the Russian national open-water swimming team for 11 years, so I know how it works. You have to train for many years and many hours, non-stop. Physically, you need different types of muscles for long-distance swimming.' So does the UAE have such swimmers? 'Yes, we have some good swimmers,' she said. 'But we need to be patient with them, and they need to be patient as well. It's going to take time, but, as I said, it's not impossible.'
