Manchester, UK – July 27, 2025 – Cricket fans brace for a captivating finish to the fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford, as a defiant captain Shubman Gill and the ever-reliable KL Rahul concluded Day 4 with a formidable unbeaten partnership. Their resilience has kept India’s hopes alive, albeit for a draw, after a daunting first innings by England that saw them amass a colossal 311-run lead.
England’s formidable total of 669 in their first innings, largely propelled by magnificent centuries from captain Ben Stokes (141) and Joe Root, had put India, who scored 358 in their first innings, in a precarious position. India’s second innings began disastrously, losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan for ducks, reducing them to 0/2. However, a stellar and patient 174-run stand between Gill (78* off 167 balls) and Rahul (87* off 210 balls) stabilized the innings, taking India to 174/2 at stumps on Day 4. India now trails England by 137 runs.
While a miraculous victory for India seems highly improbable from this position, a draw is distinctly within reach, which would be a significant achievement and keep the series alive at 1-2 heading into the final Test at The Oval. The optimal scenario for India’s aspirations would be for their overnight batsmen to bat aggressively through the first two sessions, secure a lead, and then give England a challenging target to chase in the final session, creating a dramatic possibility of a result.
Test cricket is renowned for its uncertainties, thrills, and fluctuating fortunes, and the final day promises to be no different. However, the weather forecast for Sunday, July 28th, could play a spoilsport. While some forecasts offer optimism, others suggest potential interruptions.
According to Accuweather, as quoted by Wisden, the chances of rain are expected to remain low throughout the day, as low as seven percent. Weather.com, also quoted by Wisden, predicts rain during the early morning hours (7 to 8 AM), but the probability is expected to drop below five percent thereafter. Conversely, BBC Weather forecasts a higher chance of rain around noon, peaking at 32 percent, and remaining at approximately 25 percent throughout the morning, with minimal rainfall anticipated in the afternoon.
Despite the largely promising weather outlook, cricket enthusiasts will be fervently hoping for completely clear skies. Any rainfall could shave off crucial overs, potentially robbing fans of a grandstand finish. Furthermore, a wet and slippery surface due to rain could introduce unpredictable bounce and movement, posing an additional challenge for the Indian batters.
Of the two teams, Indian fans are undoubtedly more anxious for uninterrupted play. With an injured Rishabh Pant still to bat, followed by all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, and Washington Sundar, overcoming the remaining 137-run deficit and then building a substantial lead will be an arduous task for India, especially given their susceptibility to batting collapses earlier in the series. The hope for Indian supporters is for continuous sunshine, a dry pitch that allows the ball to come nicely onto the bat, and continued defiance from their overnight heroes.
On Day 4, India recovered remarkably after the early shocks. England’s first innings of 669 gave them a commanding lead. The Indian second innings started dismally with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan both dismissed for ducks by Chris Woakes in the very first over. However, the determined partnership between KL Rahul and Captain Shubman Gill not only steadied the innings but also defied the English bowlers for the remainder of the day. They added 174 runs for the third wicket, with Rahul finishing on 87* and Gill on 78*.
Gill’s knock was particularly noteworthy, as he notched up his eighth Test fifty and fourth against England off just 77 deliveries. This partnership is historic, as Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have now become the first Indian batting pair in 55 years to each score over 500 runs in an away Test series, a feat previously achieved only by Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Sardesai in 1970-71. Gill, with 697 runs, has also surpassed Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series. KL Rahul, currently on 87*, is just 13 runs away from what would be his third century of the series, a milestone that would make him the first Indian opener to achieve three Test centuries in a single series in England.
India finished Day 4 on 174/2. If the Indian team can salvage a draw on the fifth and final day, it will be an achievement in itself, showcasing immense grit and determination against a dominant English side.