India Faces Uphill Battle Against England in Manchester Test

In a gripping Test match in Manchester, India finds itself in a challenging position, trailing England by 137 runs with two wickets down. As they head into Day Five, the team must bat through to avoid defeat and salvage pride. With rain forecasted, the weather may play a crucial role in their survival. Can Shubman Gill and KL Rahul lead India to a draw, or will England seal the series? Read on to discover the unfolding drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2025, 05:26 IST

India's Struggle on Day Four

On a cold Saturday in Manchester, India found themselves in a precarious position, trailing by 137 runs with two wickets down. The reality was stark: unless they managed to bat through the entirety of Day Five, they would concede the match and the series to England.

After England set a formidable target with a total of 669 — their highest score at Old Trafford — the pressure mounted on the Indian side. Chris Woakes made an immediate impact, dismissing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and No. 3 Sai Sudharsan without any runs on the board, leaving India at a daunting 0 for 2.

However, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul steadied the ship. With England's bowlers on the attack and the crowd eager for more wickets, the duo showcased remarkable composure. Gill reached a well-earned half-century before the end of the day, while Rahul provided solid support, defending resolutely. By stumps, India had managed to reach 174 for 2, still trailing by 137 runs but not yet out of the contest.

Earlier, England resumed their innings at 544 for 7, with Ben Stokes scoring an impressive 141, marking one of the most memorable all-round performances by an England captain in recent times. Joe Root, who scored 150 the previous day, became the first player to surpass 1,000 Test runs at Old Trafford and climbed to second place on the all-time Test run-scorers list.

India's bowlers struggled throughout the innings, with Ravindra Jadeja taking four wickets, but the damage had already been inflicted. With a 311-run deficit, India's primary goal was clear: survival.

The weather might play a crucial role in India's fate, as rain is predicted for Day Five. Any interruptions due to bad light or showers could potentially benefit India. Nevertheless, the pitch is deteriorating, the lead remains significant, and England possesses both the bowling strength and confidence to seal the victory.

At this point, India is not just fighting for a win; they are battling for pride, aiming to avoid defeat and hoping for a draw, if not a miraculous comeback.