India vs England 4th Test | Gill-Rahul Resistance against England

India vs England 4th Test | Gill-Rahul Resistance against England

India vs England 4th Test live: Ben Stokes hits 141 to set 669, but Shubman Gill and KL Rahul’s 174-run stand keeps India fighting on Day 4 at Old Trafford.

India Shows Resilience as Gill and Rahul Lead the Fightback on Day 4

Day 4 of the 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford has been a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing both England's dominance and India's gritty determination. After England declared their first innings at a colossal 669/8, thanks to a magnificent century from captain Ben Stokes, India found themselves facing a daunting deficit. However, a brilliant and resilient 174-run partnership between openers Shubman Gill and KL Rahul has provided India with a much-needed ray of hope, keeping them fighting in this high-stakes encounter.

While the target remains immense, India's top order has shown character, aiming to bat out time and potentially save the Test. This report details the key moments and performances that defined Day 4.

England's Mammoth Total: Ben Stokes' Masterful 141

England began Day 4 with a commanding lead and continued to pile on the runs, eventually declaring their first innings at a massive 669 for 8 wickets. The highlight of their innings was undoubtedly captain Ben Stokes' exceptional century, scoring 141 runs.

• Stokes' All-Round Brilliance: Having already picked up a five-wicket haul in India's first innings, Stokes' century completed a remarkable all-round performance, showcasing his ability to influence the game with both bat and ball.
• Aggressive Declaration: The declaration at such a high score, with a lead of 311 runs, clearly indicated England's intent to push for a victory, leveraging their 'Bazball' approach to maximize time for their bowlers.

This formidable total put India under immense pressure, setting the stage for a challenging second innings.

India's Resilient Start: Gill-Rahul's 174-Run Stand

Chasing a hypothetical target of 312 (or needing to bat out a significant portion of Day 4 and Day 5 to save the match), India's openers, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, responded with immense character. They forged a crucial 174-run partnership for the first wicket, frustrating the English bowlers and providing a much-needed stable start.

• Shubman Gill's Form: Gill continued his impressive form, playing a fluent and confident innings, showcasing his elegant strokeplay and solid technique against the moving ball.
• KL Rahul's Resilience: Rahul, known for his ability to dig in, played a disciplined innings, providing the perfect foil to Gill's aggression and ensuring no early breakthroughs for England.
• Breaking Records: This 174-run opening stand is a significant achievement, marking one of India's best opening partnerships in England in recent memory, and crucial for their survival hopes.

Their partnership not only negated the new ball threat but also absorbed immense pressure, giving India a fighting chance.

Day 4 Progress: India Fights Back, Challenges Remain

Despite the strong opening stand, Day 4 also saw some late drama. After the dismissal of Gill and Rahul, India faced a mini-collapse, losing a few quick wickets. However, the initial resistance provided a platform.

The pitch at Old Trafford is showing signs of wear, and England's bowlers, particularly the spinners and reverse-swing specialists, will become increasingly dangerous as the match progresses into Day 5. India's middle order will need to show similar resilience to bat out the remaining overs.

India's Uphill Battle: Path to Saving the Test

India's primary objective now shifts from winning the Test to saving it. This will require:

• Batting Time: The batsmen will need to show extreme patience and application, batting for long periods to eat into England's lead and exhaust their bowlers.
• Partnerships: Building more substantial partnerships will be crucial to absorb pressure and keep the scoreboard ticking.
• Weather Factor: While not ideal, any further rain interruptions on Day 5 could also aid India's cause by reducing the available playing time.

The resilience shown by Gill and Rahul has certainly given India a glimmer of hope, but the road ahead remains challenging.

Conclusion: A Gripping Final Day Awaits

Day 4 of the 4th Test at Old Trafford has been a captivating display of Test cricket. While Ben Stokes' century and England's massive total put them in a dominant position, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul's resilient 174-run opening partnership has ensured that India remains in the fight.

As the match heads into its final day, all eyes will be on India's remaining batsmen to see if they can withstand the English attack and bat out for a draw, or if England's bowlers can break through and seal a series victory. The Old Trafford Test promises a thrilling conclusion.