India salvages a draw at Old Trafford with commanding second innings performance

By Leonard Ratnayake, Reporting from England

At the end of Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, few would have bet on India escaping with a draw. The odds heavily favoured England, with most bookmakers and cricket pundits expecting a home victory. However, India turned the tide dramatically in the final two days, showcasing both resilience and tactical maturity to level the contest and keep the series alive.

India’s first innings total of 358 appeared underwhelming, especially on a pitch that held no major demons. England’s attack, led by Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer who shared eight wickets between them, was incisive in patches. Chris Woakes, despite his seamer-friendly credentials, managed just one wicket, while left-arm spinner Liam Dawson failed to make a significant impact.

India’s problems were compounded by a toe injury to Rishabh Pant and a lacklustre performance from captain Shubman Gill, who struggled with the bat. The leadership mantle appeared heavy at times, particularly with India’s bowling unit failing to exert control in England’s innings.

England responded emphatically, piling up a mammoth 669, led by Joe Root’s sublime 150—his 38th Test century—cementing his place as the second-highest scorer in Test history. Ben Stokes added further pressure with a commanding 141, exposing India’s inconsistent bowling. The seamers managed only two wickets, with Jasprit Bumrah visibly restricted by an ankle niggle. It was the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar who provided some respite, claiming six wickets between them.

Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, speaking from the studio, suggested that Gill should have introduced his spinners earlier and used them more aggressively. He added, however, that as a young captain, Gill is still learning the nuances of Test match leadership, and such experiences will shape his strategic acumen in the long run.

Faced with a daunting 311-run deficit, India’s response in the second innings was nothing short of remarkable. Their total of 425 for 4 was not a defensive stonewall, but a statement of mental fortitude. The innings featured three centuries and a near-miss by K.L. Rahul, who fell just 10 short of his own ton.

Most significantly, the unbroken 237-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar not only saved the match but also raised serious questions about the potency of England’s bowling attack. With the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad no longer in the XI, and no Graham Swann-like spinner to turn to, England looked bereft of ideas and penetration.

While the series stands at 2-1 in favour of England, India’s performance in Manchester will be seen as a psychological win. The absence of Rishabh Pant for the final Test may not loom as large now, given India’s demonstrated depth and resolve in the middle order.

This draw is not merely a result—it’s a message. India has exposed England’s limitations in the bowling department, and despite the deficit in the series, they head into the fifth Test with momentum and belief on their side.