IND Vs ENG, 4th Test: Old Trafford Standoff - When Stubbornness Became A Statement

India pulled off a gutsy draw in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, keeping the series alive at 2-1 with one game to play. After conceding a 311-run first-innings lead and being reduced to 0/2 early in their second innings, India, led by the resilience of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, forced a draw that seemed unlikely for much of the game.

Skipper Shubman Gill struck a patient 103 — his fourth century of the series — supported by Rahul’s gritty 90 off 220 balls. But the defining moment came in the final act of India’s second innings, as Jadeja (107*) and Sundar (101*) stitched together an unbeaten 203-run stand that not only erased England’s hopes of a win but ignited tensions in the host camp.

England’s Anger Boils Over: “Embarrassing” and “Milestone Hunting”

As Jadeja and Sundar inched toward their centuries on the final morning, visible signs of England’s irritation emerged. Ben Duckett sarcastically questioned how long the Indians would need to reach their milestones, while Zak Crawley bluntly called it “embarrassing.”

In truth, both Indians needed only 15 minutes on day five to bring up their hundreds, before Ben Stokes offered the handshake to close England’s first non-rain-affected draw under his captaincy.

While the Indian players celebrated with a sea of tricolours in the stands, England were left to stew. If they were so irked by Jadeja’s milestone-hunting, they could’ve dismissed him first ball. Archer nearly did just that — finding the edge — but Root dropped the chance at slip, one of several missed opportunities that haunted the hosts.

Dropped Catches, Missed Chances, And Growing Fatigue

England’s frustration was rooted not just in the stubbornness of the Indian batters but their own shortcomings in the field. Gill was dropped twice — by Dawson and Pope — on 46 and 81, before being dismissed by Archer for 103. Jadeja too had a life, thanks to Root's missed catch off Archer.

Despite favourable conditions — a rough patch outside the left-handers’ off stump and the ball maintaining its hardness throughout the five days — England’s attack could only produce five chances in the final 80 overs, 63 of them with the second new ball.

The Dukes ball, for once, held its shape, and England even resorted to scuffing it to generate reverse swing, earning Crawley a warning from the umpires.

Dawson's Return: Reliable But Toothless

Liam Dawson's recall to Test cricket after eight years brought with it economy and control, but little threat. He bowled 47 overs in the second innings at a miserly 2.02 runs per over but finished with just one wicket in the match. His return sparked questions over whether England missed a trick not picking the raw, high-releasing Shoaib Bashir.

Despite his toil, Dawson's second-innings figures — 31 false shots without a wicket — summed up England’s inefficacy. "You have discussions with all your bowlers around what we can look at doing differently," Stokes explained. "What do you think is the most threatening? Can we look at doing this differently? We tried quite a few different plans, set a few different fields to make the Indian batters feel a bit uncomfortable."

Ben Stokes’ Body Wears the Bruises of a Long Series

Stokes himself has been battling a catalogue of injuries: calf strain, hamstring tightness, and bicep tendon discomfort. England’s quicks, too, are running on fumes. Apart from Archer’s inclusion from the third Test, there’s been no rotation.

Mark Wood was initially eyed for a return at The Oval but will be held back. Jamie Overton and Gus Atkinson — both recovering from fitness issues — are expected to be added to the squad for the fifth Test.

As for Stokes, he brought up his first five-wicket haul in eight years in this Test, alongside a century earlier in the series — a reminder of his enduring all-round brilliance. “You’ve really had to work really, really hard for your rewards,” he reflected. “We’re not going to hide away from the fact that it’s been a very tough four games so far… in particular the bowling unit.”

Tempers Fray, But India Gains The Psychological Edge

If the fifth day’s frustration was any indication, England may feel India has turned the psychological tide. India’s escape — after being outplayed for most of the game — could be the morale boost they need to square the series. For England, despite their dominance, this draw will sting. As they toasted to Root’s second place on the all-time Test run charts and Stokes’ historic all-round feats, the mood was subdued.

What Lies Ahead

With the final Test at The Oval starting Thursday, England will need to regroup quickly. Their bowlers are fatigued, their spirits tested. India, by contrast, will walk in with momentum, their middle-order rejuvenated, and their faith in fightbacks reaffirmed.

One more twist remains in this compelling Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.