India’s Epic Batting Resistance Secures Dramatic Draw in Manchester

In a Test match defined by resilience and high drama, India battled to a heroic draw against England in the 4th Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 to July 27, 2025. Trailing 2-1 in the series, India’s batters, led by centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, defied England’s bowlers for five grueling sessions to keep the series alive heading into the final Test at The Oval.

Match Summary

• India 1st Innings: 358 (Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Rishabh Pant 54, Ben Stokes 5-72)
• England 1st Innings: 669 (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141, Ben Duckett 94, Zak Crawley 84, Ravindra Jadeja 4-143)
• India 2nd Innings: 425/4 (Ravindra Jadeja 107*, Washington Sundar 101*, Shubman Gill 103, KL Rahul 90)
• Result: Match drawn
• Player of the Match: Ben Stokes (ENG, 5-72, 141 & 1-33)
• Series Context: England lead 2-1 with one Test remaining

Under overcast skies, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl, expecting early seam movement. India reached 264/4 by stumps, with Sai Sudharsan (61) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) laying a solid foundation. Stokes (3/48 by stumps) struck key blows, dismissing Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant (54), who was later taken for scans on a swollen foot. Ravindra Jadeja (19*) and Shardul Thakur (19*) saw India through a challenging day, despite England’s disciplined bowling.

India’s first innings concluded at 358, with Stokes claiming 5-72, his pace and swing proving decisive. England’s reply was monumental, amassing 669, their fifth-highest Test total. Joe Root’s majestic 150, Stokes’ aggressive 141, and contributions from Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84) piled pressure on India. Ravindra Jadeja’s 4-143, including Root’s wicket, offered some resistance, but India’s bowlers toiled for 157.1 overs. By the end of Day 3, England were 544/7, with Stokes unbeaten on 77, firmly in control.

India’s second innings started disastrously, slumping to 1/2 in the first over as Chris Woakes dismissed Jaiswal and Sudharsan off consecutive deliveries. However, captain Shubman Gill (78*) and KL Rahul (87*) forged an unbroken 174-run partnership by stumps, batting nearly five hours to revive India’s hopes. England’s bowlers, fatigued after 157 overs in the field, struggled for bite, with dropped catches—Gill on 48 by Liam Dawson and 81 by Ollie Pope—proving costly.

Day 5 began with India trailing by 137 runs, and rain forecasts threatened to disrupt play. Stokes struck early, dismissing Rahul (90) with a low delivery, and Gill fell for 103 before lunch, ending a 188-run stand. Washington Sundar, promoted to No. 5, and Jadeja then crafted an unbroken 203-run partnership, batting through variable bounce and footmarks. Both reached centuries—Sundar’s first in Tests—amid late drama as Stokes offered a draw at the start of the final hour. Jadeja and Sundar, in the 90s, refused, prioritizing their milestones, leading to testy exchanges as England resorted to 35mph lobs. India finished at 425/4 after 143 overs, securing a famous draw.

• India’s Batting Resilience: Losing only two wickets in 142 overs after a first-over collapse, India’s 425/4 was a testament to their grit. Gill’s 103, Rahul’s 90, and centuries from Jadeja (107*) and Sundar (101*) ground England down.
• Ben Stokes’ All-Round Brilliance: Stokes’ 5-72 and 141, despite a shoulder niggle and cramp, earned him Player of the Match. His leadership, however, was marred by England’s petulant conduct in the final hour.
• Dropped Catches: England’s fielding lapses, including Gill’s drops and Jadeja’s on nought by Root, proved pivotal in India’s escape.
• Pitch Dynamics: The Old Trafford pitch offered uneven bounce but eased for batting, frustrating England’s bowlers, who bowled 257.1 overs across the match.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir hailed the team’s character, stating, “They are creating their own history. This is the foundation of this team.” Shubman Gill emphasized the team’s ball-by-ball approach, praising Jadeja and Sundar’s deserved centuries. Stokes, disappointed, credited India’s resistance but criticized their refusal to shake hands early, saying, “I wasn’t going to risk my front-line bowlers.” Posts on X reflected fan sentiment, with some criticizing England’s “moral posturing” and others praising India’s fighting spirit.

With England leading 2-1 after wins at Headingley and Lord’s, India’s draw kept the series alive. The match showcased India’s depth under Gill’s young captaincy, while England rued missed opportunities. The teams faced a three-day turnaround before the 5th Test at The Oval, with both sides contemplating changes to fatigued bowling attacks.

India’s monumental batting effort, led by Gill, Rahul, Jadeja, and Sundar, turned a near-certain defeat into a morale-boosting draw. The fractious finish, with England’s slow bowling and India’s refusal to end early, added spice to a pulsating series. As the teams head to London, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy remains in the balance, promising a thrilling decider.