Gill & Rahul resist England push for victory

Emirates Old Trafford, day four of the fifth Rothesay Test.

India 358 (Sudharsan 61, Stokes 5-72) &amp, 174-2 (Rahul 87*, Gill 78*)

England 669 (Root 150, Stokes 141, Jadeja 4-134)

India is 137 runs behind.

After some stoic India resistance on the fourth day at Old Trafford, England must finish what they need to win the fourth Test.

KL Rahul and Shubman Gill’s rearguard partnership saw India come in with a score of 174-2, 137 behind.

Although the visitors were 0-2, Rahul and captain Gill slammed an England attack led by Ben Stokes, who had not bowled all day.

England’s top score in a home test was 669, which is their third-highest total in more than two years, thanks to Skipper Stokes’ earlier batting record of his first hundred in more than two years.

With 141, Stokes became the only England player to record a century and a five-wicket haul in the same Test, joining his 5-72 in the India first innings.

When Chris Woakes removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in consecutive deliveries in the first over of the second innings, India were in danger of being steamrolled after posting a 311-run deficit.

Rahul and Gill combined for a nearly 164-overstand stand that surpassed a 2-over. Gill has 78, Rahul has 87.

England were without penetration when the ball lost its hardness and the pitch fell to sleep without the talismanic all-rounder Stokes’ energy.

Any doubts about Stokes’ fitness are always a source of concern because of his significance, history of injuries, and the outstanding summer he is having.

He was forced to retire after playing 24 overs for India in the first innings on Friday, complaining of cramping, before returning later that day.

Stokes’ absence from the attack on Saturday afternoon cannot have been tactical, despite England’s absence giving no indication of an injury concern. With the fifth Test at The Oval starting on Thursday, it could be that he was just taking precautions after his earlier exertions in this match.

When Stokes scored from the start of the day on a score of 77 to lead the rest of England, beating Anshul Kamboj’s direct hit from midway, he looked sharp in pinching a single.

Stokes’ final Test ton was a riotous protest against Jonny Bairstow’s stumping in the following Ashes Test.

A carefully timed, determined effort was made. Before tickling Jasprit Bumrah very fine for four, the left-hander spent six balls on 99. Stokes’ celebration, a customary salute to his late father Ged, was prolonged before a second look into the sky.

Stokes scored 164 deliveries for his 14th Test century. From the 33 deliveries he faced, he threw a total of three sixes to Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, who both had six.

One of England’s greatest number 10s, Brydon Carse, participated in the mayhem. The demoralized Indians were flattered by their 95-point partnership, which came almost at a run-a-ball.

When he slammed into long-on, Stokes was chasing a second consecutive six off Jadeja. He paused to soak in the adoring ovation before leaving.

This was made to look like a horror movie made for India. They were outplayed for the first three days, spent more than 157 overs in the field, and then went out to bat in disarray. The clouds gathered to create ideal bowling conditions and the ball has started to keep coming in, especially from the James Anderson End.

Woakes has a difficult series, but the situation was specifically designed for his bowling style. With his fourth delivery, he found motion away from left-hander Joe Root, who had been juggling first-slip Joe Root well.

Sudharsan attempted to withdraw the bat from the next ball, but Harry Brook’s second-pitch deflected ball was the only one to miss. India was teetering, and Old Trafford was rocking.

The performances of opener Rahul and skipper Gill in the final two innings of the day are attributed to their quality, resolve, and focus.

Rahul passed 50 in his fourth Test, totaling four. As he played the silent partner, his defense was flawless. Only three fours made up his half-century, which included 141 balls.

Gill struggled in the tetchy third Test at Lord’s after being prolific throughout the first two. When his team needed it the most, his team defied.

He was then forced into handsome driving after surviving Woakes’ hat-trick ball and two massive lbw appeals from a begging Jofra Archer. When he was 45, he gave Carse a wide chance by pushing it in the air. A flying Liam Dawson was the one who gave it a rapid burst.

Time was squandered by India. England had a hard time identifying anything at first. Stokes used the field as a platform. Bowlers messed up their lengths and angles. Root bowled, Stokes did not, Dawson was neat without being threatened. Then Jamie Smith raised his hand. The Old Trafford Party Stand produced its own entertainment.

“This shows how significant Ben Stokes is to this England team,” the team’s “engaging style.” Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson will likely make more money if they can get one wicket and add a left-hander.