Manchester, July 27, 2025 – In a spirited fightback on Day 5 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar produced resolute half-centuries to pull India out of trouble and nudge the visitors into the lead against England.
India ended the second session at 322/4, leading England by 11 runs, after starting the day trailing significantly. The unbroken 100-run partnership between Jadeja and Sundar eliminated the deficit in addition to bringing a potential draw within reach.
Jadeja, known more for his all-round brilliance, extended his purple patch with the bat, registering his fifth 50-plus score in the series. This equals the record for most such scores by an Indian batter from No. 6 or lower in a Test series, previously held by VVS Laxman during the 2002 West Indies tour.
Sundar, promoted to bat at No. 5, responded with poise and precision. His counterattacking knock, highlightedKarun Nair Set to Be Dropped? Harbhajan Singh, Aakash Chopra Urge Fairness: “Every Player Deserves a Chance” by confident strokes including a hook for six and a fierce pull for four off Ben Stokes, brought up his fifty in style. His performance drew praise from Sir Alastair Cook, who called the decision to send him up the order “surprising but justified.”
India’s response came after a disappointing end to the morning session where Shubman Gill was dismissed for 103 just before lunch. The young captain’s resilient innings was a cornerstone in India’s resistance, and his knock made him the first Indian to score a century in Manchester in 35 years.
Post lunch, Jadeja and Sundar dug deep on a deteriorating pitch, blunting the English attack effectively. The ball turned more than at any point in the match, but the duo stood firm. Former cricketer Mel Jones hailed their composure, emphasizing the “art of batting long periods” in testing conditions.
Despite visible discomfort and occasional lapses—Jadeja had a nervy moment with a risky single and Sundar was struck by a rising delivery—the pair maintained their focus. They capitalized on England’s erratic bowling after lunch, with Archer and Dawson failing to find consistency.
Commentators, including Ravi Shastri and Phil Tufnell lauded the grit shown by the Indian duo. “Steely performance,” said Shastri, summing up the mood in the Indian camp.
India’s strategy moving forward remains unclear. With only six wickets down and a narrow lead, the team might choose to consolidate and aim for a draw. Dinesh Karthik, on Sky Sports, suggested that a draw would be a victory in itself given the situation.
As England search for a breakthrough, time may become the biggest obstacle in their pursuit of a win. India, on the other hand, have once again demonstrated the depth and resilience of their batting lineup, even under adverse conditions.
Live Score at Tea:
India – 322/4 in 118 overs (Washington Sundar 57*, Ravindra Jadeja 53*) | Lead by 11 runs
England – 669 all out in 157.1 overs
