India faced a stern challenge on day four of the Manchester Test as England tightened its grip through Ben Stokes’ all-round brilliance and Chris Woakes’ early breakthroughs. But in the middle session, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul brought a measure of calm with a steady, wicketless partnership—India’s only real success amid England’s dominance.
Ben Stokes had already crafted a masterclass with his century, scoring 141 to push England’s total to an imposing 669. Having retired hurt earlier on 66 due to cramps, he returned to complete a defiant hundred. It broke a long drought of 35 innings without a century. His celebration was heartfelt, pointing skyward in tribute to his late father as fans joined in the Superman theme.
With that knock, Stokes etched his name among the legends. He became only the third cricketer in Test history to score over 7000 runs and take 200 wickets—joining Jacques Kallis and Garry Sobers. For a captain, achieving a five-wicket haul and a century in the same match places him in rarified territory.
England’s first innings wasn’t just statistically dominant—it was a statement. Their 669-run total ranks as the fifth-highest in their Test history. India, forced to field for over 157 overs, looked physically and mentally drained. The final moments before lunch were scripted for drama: England’s bowlers had just 15 minutes, and Chris Woakes used every second effectively.
From around the wicket, Woakes delivered a seaming ball that angled in and then moved away—catching Yashasvi Jaiswal off guard and handing first slip a sharp chance. A duck to start the innings. Sai Sudharsan followed, undone by fatigue and misjudgment. After spending hours in the field, he opted to leave a short and wide delivery, only to edge it to second slip. Two down, no runs on the board.
India needed composure—and they found it, at least temporarily, in the form of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Their partnership through the middle session offered brief respite and kept England’s bowlers at bay. Gill, in particular, benefitted from a dropped catch at gully when on 46, capitalizing on the reprieve to continue his run-scoring spree.
That miss proved costly for England. Gill went on to surpass Virat Kohli’s tally of 655 runs in a single Test series against England back in 2016. Now, he has his sights on breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 732 runs as an Indian captain in a Test series. It’s not just statistics—it’s the hallmark of a player growing in stature and confidence with each match.
KL Rahul provided steady support, leaving balls outside off and absorbing pressure. England’s bowlers, led by Woakes, kept probing, but the Indian pair refused to budge. The session ended with India at 86 for 2, still 225 runs behind England’s total.
Curiously, Ben Stokes chose not to bowl during this stretch. Perhaps the effects of back-to-back Tests, a century, and a five-wicket haul in the first innings prompted caution. His absence from the attack may have offered India breathing space, though the rest of the bowlers remained sharp.
The post-tea session loomed with tension. India’s batters still faced a mountain, and the pitch showed signs of wear. England, with a hefty lead, could apply varied pressure—reverse swing, spin, and tactical field placements. Every run mattered for India, not just for the scoreboard but for the morale of a side on the back foot.
As the match progressed, the difference in intensity became clear. England approached each moment with urgency and control. India, despite patches of resistance, often looked reactive. The exhaustion from their extended fielding stint lingered, affecting concentration and decision-making.
Gill, however, remained a bright spot. His ability to rotate strike, find gaps, and time his strokes allowed India to avoid total collapse. His partnership with Rahul demonstrated a much-needed blueprint for survival—judicious shot selection and unwavering focus.
Woakes’ opening spell not only set the tone but reminded viewers of his skill in English conditions. The ball to dismiss Jaiswal was textbook: angled approach, seam movement, edge induced. His rhythm and control added another dimension to England’s bowling arsenal, already buoyed by their massive first innings score.
Sudharsan’s dismissal, while unfortunate, reflected the toll of long fielding stints. It’s a mental and physical challenge—one that manifests in split-second decisions like whether to play a ball or leave it. His misjudgment created momentum for England and set the stage for the pressure that followed.
Stokes’ dual milestone—century and five-for—adds to his remarkable legacy. Few cricketers manage both in the same match, and even fewer do so under physical strain while leading the side. It wasn’t just numbers—it was the resilience, emotion, and clarity of purpose that marked his innings.
For fans, day four provided everything—drama, records, collapses, fightbacks. It was a reminder of why Test cricket, with its ebb and flow, still captures imaginations. The battle between Gill’s perseverance and England’s aggression created a gripping narrative.
The match’s outcome remained uncertain, but the impact was clear. England had asserted dominance; India had shown flashes of resilience. The final day would reveal whether Gill’s knock could inspire a broader fightback or whether England’s control would hold.
From Stokes’ century to Woakes’ magic ball, from dropped chances to record chases—this Test carried layers of storylines. And in the middle of it all stood Shubman Gill, calm under fire, refusing to surrender, showing that even amid adversity, there’s room for hope.