Can KL Rahul and Shubman Gill Save India in the 4th Test?

Manchester, July 27 (NationPress) KL Rahul and Shubman Gill spearheaded India’s remarkable resurgence by scoring magnificent fifties and forming an unbroken partnership of 174 runs off 361 balls, successfully keeping England at bay. The visitors ended day four of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Old Trafford with a score of 174/2 after 63 overs.

While the possibility of a draw remains distant, as they are still behind by 137 runs, Rahul and Gill, with scores of 87 and 78 not out respectively, have instilled hope among India and its fans for saving the match, a feat that seemed unlikely at one point.

England had set a daunting target of 669 runs in 157.1 overs, gaining a lead of 311 runs, highlighted by skipper Ben Stokes’ first Test century in two years, scoring an impressive 141 from 198 balls, leaving India in a precarious position.

The situation worsened when India found themselves at 0/2 within five balls of their second innings. Gill was brought in on a hat-trick ball while the team faced immense pressure, but he and Rahul, both characterized by their calm demeanor and mental fortitude, managed to navigate through consecutive wicketless sessions.

Gill showcased excellent driving skills, while Rahul excelled in punches and cuts. Additionally, India's fortunes improved as Stokes was yet to bowl in the second innings, with the ball becoming softer and the pitch offering fewer challenges. With rain anticipated on day five, the match still holds potential for unexpected developments.

The day commenced with Stokes executing a perfect cover drive off Mohammed Siraj for a couple of boundaries, followed by Liam Dawson pulling him for another four. Bumrah then broke through by skidding one past Dawson's defenses, toppling the off-stump as the batter fell for 26.

Brydon Carse struck two fours off Bumrah, while Stokes reached his century with a flick off Siraj, celebrating with a fist bump and a tribute to his father Ged.

India's fielding strategy allowed Carse to accumulate runs with singles and occasional boundaries. Stokes showcased his aggressive style by hitting Washington Sundar for six and then reverse-sweeping him for four, followed by a well-timed backfoot drive off Ravindra Jadeja for another four.

Carse joined in, slogging Sundar for four and six, before Stokes attempted to repeat the feat off Jadeja but mistimed it, leading to his dismissal. England's innings concluded when Carse, attempting a slog-sweep off Jadeja, also fell to a catch in the deep.

For India, Jadeja claimed four wickets while Sundar took two in an otherwise ineffective bowling performance. Bumrah conceded over 100 runs in a Test match for the first time, and Siraj, debutant Kamboj, and Thakur struggled to make an impact.

Woakes struck early in the opening over, inducing a leading edge from Yashasvi Jaiswal, brilliantly caught by Joe Root at slip. Woakes quickly took another wicket, dismissing B Sai Sudharsan as well.

After lunch, Gill survived two lbw appeals in quick succession against Jofra Archer. Rahul, absorbing pressure, struck a boundary off Archer, while Gill exhibited his skill with three boundaries off Woakes.

Gill unfurled two exquisite on-drives for consecutive boundaries against Carse. As the session progressed, Gill raised his fifty just before tea, surpassing Virat Kohli's tally of 655 runs from the 2016 series against England, now eyeing Sunil Gavaskar's record of 732 runs.

Notably, each time Gill has reached fifty in this series, he has converted it into a century. The final session began with Rahul and Gill being cautious until Rahul managed to guide Archer for his first boundary, subsequently reaching his half-century.

While Gill adopted an old-school batting approach, Rahul skillfully evaded bouncers from Archer and capitalized on loose deliveries. Against spinners Dawson and Root, the duo effectively rotated the strike, taking a boundary before stumps, setting the stage for an enthralling day five.

Brief Scores: India 358 and 174/2 in 63 overs (KL Rahul 87 not out, Shubman Gill 78 not out; Chris Woakes 2-48) trail England 669 in 157.1 overs (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141; Ravindra Jadeja 4-143, Washington Sundar 2-107) by 137 runs.