India Fights Back in Fourth Test Against England Despite Massive First Innings Deficit
India's Resilient Response in Fourth Test
Manchester [UK], July 26: After facing early setbacks in their second innings during the Fourth Test, India has shown resilience, although they remain in a challenging position with England having posted a formidable 669 in their first innings, giving them a substantial lead of 311 runs.
The Indian innings commenced poorly, with both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudarshan dismissed for ducks. However, K L Rahul and Captain Shubman Gill steadied the ship, forming a remarkable partnership of 174 runs.
By the end of Day 4, India had reached 174/2, trailing England by 137 runs. If they manage to salvage the match on the final day, it would be a significant achievement.
In the last session, England failed to take any wickets as Indian batsmen accumulated 126 runs, with KL Rahul remaining not out at 87 and Shubman Gill at 78.
Starting the third session at 86/2, Gill, in excellent form, scored his eighth Test fifty and fourth against England, reaching the milestone off 77 balls.
His innings included eight elegant boundaries, showcasing his control and intent. Meanwhile, KL Rahul provided solid support, finishing the day unbeaten on 30 with two boundaries.
In the 40th over, the pair achieved a 100-run partnership for the third wicket, with Rahul securing his second fifty of the series in the 43rd over after nudging a single off Liam Dawson.
He also crossed the 9000-run mark in international cricket across all formats. By the 55th over, they had extended their partnership to 150 runs.
Earlier in the match, India stabilized after a shaky start just before lunch, thanks to a composed partnership between skipper Shubman Gill and opener KL Rahul.
India reached 50 runs in 15.2 overs but still trailed by 225 runs. As the final session approached, both batsmen aimed to finish the day strongly for India.
In the first session, England's captain Ben Stokes delivered a stellar performance, leading his team to a first innings total of 669, establishing a 311-run lead over India in the fourth Test.
This score marks England's second-highest total against India, surpassed only by their 710/7 declared at Edgbaston in 2011. India had a rough start to their second innings, losing both Jaiswal and Sudharsan for zero runs in the first over.
At lunch, India was struggling at 1/2, with KL Rahul on 1* and Shubman Gill on 0*. England began Day 4 at 544/7, leading by 186 runs, with Ben Stokes (77) and Liam Dawson (21*) at the crease.
Jasprit Bumrah struck early for India, dismissing Dawson for 26 in the 140th over, allowing Brydon Carse to join Stokes. In the 146th over, Stokes hit a four to bring up his 14th Test century.
He achieved a five-wicket haul in the first innings after an eight-year wait and now has a Test century in the same match.
Stokes became the fifth captain to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test. England surpassed 600 runs in the 148th over after Carse hit a four off Mohammed Siraj.
Stokes also reached 7000 runs in Test cricket. After dominating the Indian bowlers, he was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for 141 in the 156th over; Jadeja also took out Carse shortly after, who scored 47 runs off 54 balls.
England concluded their first innings at 669, leading by 311 runs. Four Indian bowlers conceded over 100 runs in this innings, marking the 25th instance of such in Tests.
This occurrence had not happened since the 2014/15 tour of Australia, where it took place in three consecutive Tests: Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
For only the seventh time in Test history, a team has achieved a first innings lead of over 300 runs after conceding more than 350 runs while bowling first.
Their previous highest lead after conceding over 350 runs in the first innings was 267 against Pakistan in Multan last year (823/7d in response to 556).
Brief Scores: India 358 & 174/2 (KL Rahul 87*, Shubman Gill 78*; Chris Woakes 2/48) vs England 669 (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141, Ravindra Jadeja 4/143).