India vs England 4th Test 2025 – A Modern Classic in the Making

The IND vs ENG 4th Test 2025, held at Old Trafford, will be remembered as one of the most fiercely contested and emotionally charged matches in the recent history of Test cricket. From Joe Root’s early brilliance to Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spells, and ending in a gripping fifth-day draw powered by Gill, Jadeja, and Sundar, this Test had it all—momentum swings, individual milestones, and drama that captivated cricket fans around the world.

The match wasn’t just a clash between two cricketing giants; it was a showcase of character, grit, and mental resilience. With both teams pushing their limits across all five days, the result—a hard-fought draw—felt less like a stalemate and more like a strategic triumph for India, who battled back from a 311-run first-innings deficit to remain alive in the series.

Day 1 – India Starts Strong, But England Wrests Control

England won the toss and elected to bowl first on a cloudy morning at Emirates Old Trafford. India opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan gave the visitors a composed start. Sudharsan impressed with a calm and technical 61 off 151 balls.

India went to lunch at 78/0, seemingly in control. However, the post-lunch session turned the tide. Star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant suffered a serious injury while attempting a reverse sweep and retired hurt on 37*. The severity of the injury raised concerns for India’s chances in the match.

England’s bowlers took advantage of the situation. Ben Stokes delivered crucial breakthroughs, dismissing Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer continued the pressure with disciplined seam bowling.

India eventually finished Day 1 on 264/4 in 82 overs, with a steady start overshadowed by Pant’s injury and late wickets.

Day 2 – England Seize the Momentum, Pant’s Brave Fifty Lights India

Morning Session – India Post Competitive Total

India resumed at 264/4 and managed to post 358 before being bowled out:

• Rishabh Pant returned despite a fractured toe, scoring a valiant 54 off 75 balls with a six off Jofra Archer.
• Sai Sudharsan (61) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) contributed solid half-centuries.
• India’s tail wagged briefly with Anshul Kamboj adding crucial runs.

Afternoon Session – Stokes Turns the Game

• Ben Stokes grabbed his first five-wicket haul in 8 years (5/72), helping England limit India to 358.
• His reverse swing and sharp bouncers troubled India’s lower order significantly.

Evening Session – England Dominate With the Bat

England’s openers put up a commanding performance:

• Zak Crawley (84) and Ben Duckett (94) built a fluent 166-run opening partnership.
• Duckett narrowly missed a century, falling to debutant Anshul Kamboj.
• Ollie Pope (20*) and Joe Root (11*) held the crease at stumps.

Day 2 Summary

Key Highlights

• Pant’s heroic return despite injury showed grit and determination.
• Stokes’s revival with the ball brought back memories of his prime form.
• England’s openers punished Indian bowlers, who lacked consistency.

Day 3 – England in Command Despite India’s Spin Fightback

England firmly grasped control on Day 3 of the 4th Test at Old Trafford, ending the day at 544/7, leading by 186 runs over India’s first innings score of 358. This left India facing a considerable uphill battle, but their spinners provided intermittent resistance.

Joe Root’s Historic Masterclass

• Joe Root smashed a majestic 150, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test history.
• Root maintained elegant fluency, especially against spin, and anchored England’s innings alongside Ben Stokes.

Ben Stokes’ All‑Round Influence

• Ben Stokes added crucial lower-order runs, retiring hurt on 66* due to cramps.
• Earlier, Stokes took a five-wicket haul (5/72) in India’s innings – his first in eight years.

Spin Resistance by Jadeja & Sundar

• Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar extracted good turns and kept pressure through tight spells.
• Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj struggled to trouble the English batsmen consistently.

Day 3 Score Snapshot

Key Themes Match Flow

1. England Set the Tone: Root and Stokes’ partnership ensured England’s innings dominance.
2. India’s Spin Held Sway: Jadeja and Sundar troubled the batsmen amid England’s momentum.
3. Support for Bumrah Lacking: Critics questioned the bowling tactics and lack of pace support.
4. Root’s Milestones: His 150 placed him among the top Test scorers ever.

Day 4 – England Declares Big, India Counter with Resilience

Date: July 26, 2025 | Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

England Build a Mammoth Total

England transformed their advantage into an imposing total of 669 all out, marking their highest-ever innings at Old Trafford and establishing a massive 311-run lead over India’s first innings of 358.

• Captain Ben Stokes scored a phenomenal 141 off 198 balls, becoming only the fourth England player to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test.
• Joe Root (150), Ben Duckett (94), Zak Crawley (84), and Ollie Pope(71) added strong supporting contributions

Early Collapse – India Reeling at 0‑2

India’s chase began disastrously. In the first over of their second innings, Chris Woakes struck twice in two balls, plucking half-innings from India by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan without a run on the board.

Gill & Rahul Raise India’s Wall

From deep trouble, India’s top order rebuilt admirably:

• Shubman Gill and KL Rahul rescued the innings with a partnership of 174 runs, batting India to 174/2 at stumps and cutting the deficit to 137 runs.
• The slow, gritty pace of scoring (2.7–3 runs per over) reflected true Test resilience.
• Gill reached 78 not out, Rahul ended unbeaten on 87.

Former cricketer Dinesh Karthik likened Gill’s composure to Ponting’s heroics in the 2005 Ashes—a sign of emerging leadership under pressure.

Day 4 Score Summary

Critical Themes & Takeaways

1. England’s dominance was neutralized partly: Despite building a 311-run lead, they failed to capitalize on early momentum due to India’s recovery.
2. Gill-Rahul partnership pivotal: Their steady approach halted early collapse and bought India critical time, transforming the match context.
3. England’s frustration spiked: Ben Stokes proposed a draw near the end when the Indian pair neared milestones—this was denied; critics later questioned England’s sportsmanship in that moment.
4. Bowling gaps evident: Woakes grabbed early wickets, but England struggled to dislodge the importunate duo; Stokes rested due to injury, and England lacked sustained pressure.

Day 5 – India Battle Through to Escape with a Draw

India rescued a dramatic draw in a high-stakes fourth Test at Old Trafford, ending at 425/4, batting through the final day and denying England victory despite a commanding 311-run first-innings deficit.

Stokes’s Heroics Fade as Gill’s Batting Rescues India

Shubman Gill, already dominant this series, scored his fourth century (103) of the series, joining legends Bradman and Gavaskar as the only captains to hit four centuries in one Test series. His knock frustrated England’s hopes and was pivotal to India’s recovery.

KL Rahul offered sterling support with an unbeaten 90 earlier in the innings, forming a 188-run partnership with Gill to steady the ship after a horror start of 0/2 to start India’s second innings.

Jadeja & Sundar Seal the Rescue

Ravindra Jadeja (107*) and Washington Sundar (100*) anchored India across the final two sessions, producing a marathon 203-run unbeaten stand, batting out 143 overs to deny England a win.

This refusal to accept an early handshake—despite England’s offer—was a statement of intent. Jadeja and Sundar were determined to reach their centuries before the match concluded, which sparked debate but ultimately paid dividends.

England’s Efforts Go Unrewarded

Ben Stokes, the Player of the Match, had earlier scored a brilliant 141 and taken 5/72 in India’s first innings—but was limited by fitness on Day 5 and could not break the stand.

Despite dominating the majority of the Test, England’s hopes of a last-day victory at Old Trafford slipped away in the final session of Day 5. Critical fielding lapses, most notably a dropped catch by senior pro Joe Root at slip off Ravindra Jadeja, cost them dearly. This pivotal miss allowed Jadeja to continue building an unbreakable stand with Washington Sundar. The tension in the middle was heightened by echoes of the controversial “handshake-gate” from earlier in the series—a moment when England had accused India of avoiding a sporting declaration.

As the clock ticked down and milestones approached, frustration grew in the England camp. The bowlers toiled without luck, and fielding errors added insult to injury, turning what looked like a near-certain win into a stalemate. The missed opportunity underscored the fine margins of Test cricket and left England reflecting on what might have been.

Final Scorecard Snapshot

• India 1st Innings: 358 all out
• England 1st Innings: 669 all out → England lead by 311
• India 2nd Innings: 425/4 (Gill 103, Rahul 90*, Jadeja 107*, Sundar 100*)
• Result: Draw — India avoided defeat after trailing 311