- July 28, 2025
IND vs. ENG (4th Test) – Highlights
The 4th Test between England and India at Old Trafford, Manchester, concluded in a hard-fought draw, but not before producing a feast of cricket over five days. With over 1,450 runs scored and several individual milestones achieved, this was a Test match that offered everything but a result. England dominated for most of the game, riding on Ben Stokes’ all-round brilliance, but a resilient Indian lower order ensured the visitors escaped with a draw.
IND batted first after winning the toss, and the top order responded with determined resistance. Yashasvi Jaiswal extended his consistent run with a smooth 58, while KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan contributed 46 and 61, respectively. Rishabh Pant played a promising hand of 54 before retiring hurt, a setback that dented India’s momentum. Ben Stokes, however, turned the tide for England with a scintillating spell of seam bowling, claiming 5 for 72. Jofra Archer backed him well with 3 wickets, including the dangerous Pant and Jadeja. India folded for 358, a competitive total, but one that proved modest in the context of the game.
ENG reply was defined by a strong batting performance, accumulating 669 runs early on. The opening duo of Crawley and Duckett kick-started the effort with a 166-run partnership. While Duckett missed out on a century by just six runs, Joe Root and Ben Stokes made the Indian bowlers toil. Root’s masterclass 150 was a study in patience and control, while Stokes was both aggressive and composed in his 141. He later retired hurt but returned to add crucial runs before being dismissed just before the end. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 4 for 143, while Bumrah and Washington Sundar claimed two wickets each.
With a massive first-innings deficit of 311, IND were under pressure and stumbled early in their second innings. Both Jaiswal and Sudharsan fell for ducks within the first over, putting India in a dire situation at 0 for 2. But from that chaos emerged a captain’s knock from Shubman Gill, who anchored the innings with a patient 103. He was ably supported by KL Rahul, who batted for 230 balls for his gritty 90. Once Gill fell, India were still trailing significantly, but the real twist came with a phenomenal unbeaten partnership between Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja.
The foundation laid by Sundar’s calm 101 allowed Jadeja to build an elegant 107. They defied ENG attack on a wearing Day 5 pitch and took India to safety. Despite a few chances and mounting pressure from England’s bowlers, India managed to bat out the final day and close the innings at 425/4, securing a draw in what had seemed a lost cause.
Ben Stokes was deservedly named Player of the Match for his all-round performance – a five-wicket haul, a century, and a vital wicket in the second innings. The series remains alive with one Test to go, and both sides will look to carry forward their momentum into the decider.
India vs. England Scoreboard
India– 358 & 425/4
England – 669
Result – Match drawn
Player of the Match – Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes
IND vs. ENG Playing Eleven
India | Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. |
England | Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer. |
Disclaimer: These Match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.
