Manchester, July 26 – England asserted firm control on Day 4 of the 4th Test at Old Trafford, finishing with a commanding 311-run first-innings lead over India. But the visitors showed late resilience through an unbeaten 174-run partnership between Shubman Gill and KL Rahul.
England posted a colossal 669 all out, their fifth-highest total in Test history. Ben Stokes stole the show with a sensational 141, becoming the first England captain to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test. Joe Root also starred with an unbeaten 150, surpassing Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run scorer in Test history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar.
India’s second innings got off to a nightmare start, losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan for ducks in the very first over to Chris Woakes. At 0/2, it seemed England would wrap up the match quickly. But Gill (78*) and Rahul (87*) stitched together a patient and gutsy stand, guiding India to 174/2 at stumps.
England remains in the driver’s seat with a 137-run advantage and just a day to go. Rain forecasts for Day 5 could aid India’s hopes for a draw, which would keep the five-match series alive. England currently leads 2–1 and will be looking to clinch the series tomorrow.
Critics have questioned India’s team balance and bowling fatigue, with concerns over the overuse of Jasprit Bumrah. Stokes’ all-round brilliance and Root’s class have underlined England’s dominance throughout this Test.
