India have pulled off a thrilling draw in the 4th Test against England at Old Trafford, thanks to a stunning fightback by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both of whom scored unbeaten centuries under pressure.
Their heroic stand turned what looked like a certain defeat into a moment of pride and celebration for Team India and its fans.
India were in deep trouble when they lost early wickets on Day 5. The pitch was wearing out, England were on top, and the crowd expected a home win. But Jadeja (108)* and Sundar (101)* had other plans.
They batted with calm, confidence, and incredible patience. Ball after ball, over after over, they fought off the English bowlers, turning the pressure around and building a massive unbeaten 203-run partnership. Their effort not only saved the match but also brought up personal milestones in style — a Test hundred each!
India’s 2nd Innings Snapshot
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 123 | 256 | 15 | 0 | Out |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 108* | 223 | 13 | 0 | Not Out |
| Washington Sundar | 101* | 198 | 10 | 0 | Not Out |
| India Total | 425/4 | — | — | — | Match Drawn |
Ben Stokes Offers Early Handshake — India Declines
On Day 5 at Old Trafford, the match was heading toward a draw. England captain Ben Stokes walked up to the Indian batters with an offer: let’s end the match early and call it a draw.
But with both Jadeja (90)* and Sundar (80)* nearing personal milestones — Test hundreds — the Indian pair chose to continue batting.
Stokes didn’t seem too pleased. He even brought on part-time bowlers like Joe Root and Harry Brook, possibly as a way to hurry things up.
Cameras caught some sarcastic comments from Stokes, sparking a debate over whether the Indian batters were chasing stats over sportsmanship.
After the match, Indian centurion Shubman Gill, who played a brilliant knock of 123*, defended his teammates:
“A Test hundred is a Test hundred. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get there — every run matters.”
Gill’s calm response highlighted what many Indian fans were thinking: personal milestones in Test cricket still hold value, even if the match is heading for a draw.
| Upcoming Fixture | 🏁 Final Test at The Oval |
|---|---|
| Date | Starts August 3, 2025 |
| Series Status | 2-1 (Eng won 1st Test, India won 2nd, Eng won 3rd, 4th Test Drawn) |
