Can Shubman Gill and KL Rahul Save India from Defeat?
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Synopsis
As India faces a daunting task to save the Test match, the spotlight is on Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Can they withstand England's bowling attack and steer India to safety? With Gill’s century and Rahul’s near-century, hopes remain high, but challenges loom large.
Key Takeaways
- Shubman Gill reached his ninth Test century.
- KL Rahul scored a solid 90 runs.
- India is currently at 223/4, trailing by 88 runs.
- England's bowlers have put India on the back foot.
- Rishabh Pant's injury adds to India's challenges.
Manchester, July 27 (NationPress) Shubman Gill achieved his ninth Test century and fourth in the current Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, while KL Rahul scored an impressive 90. However, the loss of both batsmen in the first session left India at 223/4 after 89 overs, trailing England by 88 runs at lunchtime on the fifth day of play at Old Trafford.
It was a challenging session, with just 49 runs scored off 26 overs. India displayed resilience early on, but the dismissal of key players like Rahul and Gill means they must work hard to secure a draw in the remaining 64 overs, especially with limited batting depth available, as Rishabh Pant arrived at the ground on crutches.
For England, captain Ben Stokes, despite battling shoulder issues, bowled an eight-over spell that included Rahul’s wicket, while Jofra Archer dismissed a solid Gill. Archer almost had another wicket when Joe Root dropped a catch off Ravindra Jadeja, who came in after Gill's dismissal. Stokes started the session by generating variable bounce, including an lbw appeal against Gill.
Gill was fortunate to survive on 81 when Ollie Pope dropped a catch at short cover off Stokes. England’s frustrations continued as they reviewed a sweep by Rahul off Dawson, but the ball was shown to have missed the stumps, leading to them losing their final review of this innings.
Stokes' relentless effort finally paid off when his unplayable delivery struck Rahul's pad, trapping him lbw for 90, concluding the 188-run third-wicket partnership with Gill. Gill soon pulled a four off Archer and reached his gritty century with a single off Chris Woakes.
However, with just 15 minutes left until lunch, Archer made a significant breakthrough when Gill, momentarily distracted, nicked a wide delivery to Jamie Smith, falling for 103.
Archer nearly claimed another wicket, but Root fumbled at slip, gifting Jadeja a lifeline on zero. With Washington Sundar not out on 21, Jadeja faces a monumental task of partnering with his fellow spin-bowling all-rounder to forge a resistance and save the game for India.
Brief Scores: India 358 and 223/4 in 89 overs (Shubman Gill 103, KL Rahul 90; Chris Woakes 2-57, Ben Stokes 1-12) trail England 669 in 157.1 overs (Joe Root 150; Ravindra Jadeja 4-143) by 88 runs.
Point of View
The performance of the Indian team has been commendable, showing resilience under pressure. The focus now shifts to the remaining batsmen to rise to the occasion and secure a draw. The team's strategy will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this challenging match.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the scores of Gill and Rahul in the match?
Shubman Gill scored 103 runs while KL Rahul made 90 runs.
What is the current score of India in the match?
As of now, India is at 223/4 in their second innings.
Who are the key bowlers for England?
Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes have been key bowlers, taking 2 and 1 wicket respectively.
What challenges does India face moving forward?
India needs to consolidate their innings with limited batting depth and aim for a draw as they trail England by 88 runs.
What is the significance of this Test series?
This match is part of the prestigious Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, highlighting historical cricket rivalries.
