India captain Shubman Gill and veteran opener batter KL Rahul shifted the momentum of the game after the visitors lost two early wickets on Day 2 of the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. Having lost their first two wickets for one run at lunch, India still face a herculean task to save the game. At the end of Day 4, India were 174 for two, trailing England by 137 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Gill (78 batting) and Rahul (87 batting) added 174 runs for the unbroken third wicket stand after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai. The visitors now trail England by 137 runs.
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Earlier in the day, England declared their dominance by finishing their innings at a massive 669. After Ben Stokes' brilliant 141 it was a special all-round display as he had already taken a five-wicket haul on Day 3.
India’s reply got off to the worst possible start. In the very first over of the innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught at slip after a flick off Chris Woakes, and Sai Sudharsan followed him the very next ball, edging to second slip. India were 1 for 2, and in deep trouble.
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But what followed was a smart and composed partnership from Gill and Rahul. They didn’t panic. They took their time, defended solidly, and slowly started building the innings. In the afternoon session, they ensured India didn’t lose a single wicket, reaching 86 for 2 by tea.
Gill, after some early nervous moments, settled in well. He survived a tricky spell from Jofra Archer, who kept aiming at his pads, trying to exploit a known weakness. Gill held firm and once he was in, began playing his trademark cover drives and straight drives. He also had a bit of luck—dropped on 46 by Liam Dawson, but made it count.
Rahul, meanwhile, was a picture of calm. He looked rock-solid throughout the day, barely offering a chance. His square cuts and back-foot shots were a delight to watch, compared to legends like Gordon Greenidge and Virender Sehwag. The final session became easier to bat in as the sun came out, and both batters took advantage of the better conditions.
Despite England trying different tactics, including bowling short balls and changing field placements, Gill and Rahul stayed focused and gave India hope.
Stokes Shines for England
Earlier in the day, England resumed at 544/7 and continued piling on the runs. Ben Stokes, in particular, was in top form. He attacked from the start, stepping out and hitting Mohammed Siraj through the covers and later launching Washington Sundar for a six.
In doing so, Stokes became just the third cricketer in Test history to score 7000 runs and take 200 wickets, joining the legendary Jacques Kallis and Garfield Sobers. His century came after a gap of two years and was full of passion and purpose.
India’s bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj bowled better than they did on Day 3, but they couldn’t stop England from building a huge lead. Bumrah ended with 2 wickets for 112 runs, the first time he’s given away more than 100 in a Test innings.
England’s total of 669 was their highest ever at Old Trafford, and also marked the first time since 2014 that India have conceded over 600 runs in an innings.
India Still in Trouble, But Fighting Hard
With two days to go, India still face a tough task to save the match. But thanks to the grit and class of Gill and Rahul, there's still hope. The pitch is dry and slow, and with no county match here ending in a result this season, India might look to bat long and salvage a draw.