Manchester, UK – July 27, 2025 – As the fifth and final day of the fourth Test between England and India dawns in Manchester, the cricketing world holds its breath, with Indian openers and batting stalwarts, captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, poised on the brink of significant personal milestones that could etch their names in the record books. Their formidable 174-run unbeaten partnership at stumps on Day 4 has not only pulled India back from the brink but also ignited hopes of salvaging a draw from a seemingly dire situation.
Having conceded a massive 311-run first-innings lead after England posted a daunting 669, India’s second innings began disastrously, with Chris Woakes claiming the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudarshan for ducks in the very first over. However, the resilient duo of Gill and Rahul stepped up to the challenge, displaying exceptional patience and grit to navigate through the remainder of Day 4. At the close of play, Gill was unbeaten on 78, and Rahul on 87, with India at 174/2, still trailing England by 137 runs. Their objective for Day 5 will be to bat out the entire day for a draw or, if conditions permit, to accelerate and set England an improbable target.
Gill’s Pursuit of Captaincy Records: If Shubman Gill manages to convert his overnight score into a century, he will join an elite list of cricketing legends. His potential fourth century in this Test series would see him equal the incredible feat of Sir Donald Bradman (against India in Australia, 1947/48) and Sunil Gavaskar (against West Indies in India, 1978/79) as the captain with the joint-most centuries in a single Test series. Gill has already been in sensational form, having scored marathon knocks of 269 and 161 at Edgbaston earlier in the series. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the series, with an impressive 697 runs at an average of 99.57.
Rahul’s Historic Hundred in England: KL Rahul, just 13 runs shy of his third century in this series, is on the cusp of creating history. If he reaches the three-figure mark, he will become the first-ever Indian opener to score three centuries in a single Test series in England. His consistent performance throughout the series has seen him amass 508 runs in eight innings at an average of 72.57, including two centuries and two half-centuries.
Day 4 Recap: A Tale of Resilience The fourth day of the Test match saw England dominate initially, reaching a mammoth 669 in their first innings. Big centuries from captain Ben Stokes (who also took a fifer in India’s first innings) and Joe Root, along with valuable contributions from the tailenders, put immense pressure on India. Root, in particular, made history by becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket during his innings.
India’s second innings commenced with an immediate collapse, as Jaiswal and Sudarshan were dismissed without scoring. However, the subsequent 174-run partnership between Rahul and Gill brought stability and hope to the Indian camp. The duo batted through two complete sessions, resisting the English bowling attack and adding 126 runs in the final session without losing a wicket. Their disciplined approach, particularly against Liam Dawson, showcased their determination to fight for survival.
While India still trails by 137 runs, the resilience shown by Gill and Rahul has provided a glimmer of hope. Saving the match on the fifth and final day would be a significant achievement for the Indian team, especially given the dominant position England established. The forecast of potential rain on Day 5 in Manchester could also play a crucial role in the outcome of the match, potentially aiding India’s quest for a draw.