The IND vs ENG 4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 to July 27, 2025, will be remembered as a monumental chapter in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. With England leading 2-1, India faced a daunting task to avoid defeat after conceding a 311-run first-innings lead. However, centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, coupled with a resilient 188-run partnership between Gill and KL Rahul, scripted a historic draw that kept India alive in the series. This article delves into the key performances, records broken, and tactical nuances of this gripping IND vs ENG encounter, highlighting why this match epitomized Test cricket’s enduring drama.
A Precarious Start for India in IND vs ENG
India’s second innings began disastrously, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan dismissed for ducks in the first over by Chris Woakes. Trailing by 311 runs, India were 0/2 at lunch on Day 4, staring down the barrel of a potential series-deciding loss. The IND vs ENG series had already been a rollercoaster, with England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach putting India’s young squad under pressure. The absence of Rishabh Pant, sidelined by a fractured toe, further compounded India’s woes, placing immense responsibility on captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul to steer the ship.
Gill, leading India for the first time in a Test series, had already notched three centuries in the IND vs ENG tour, amassing 719 runs in eight innings before this match. His form was phenomenal, breaking Rahul Dravid’s 23-year-old record for the most runs by an Indian in an England Test series (607 runs in 2025 vs. Dravid’s 602 in 2002). On Day 4, Gill and Rahul showcased remarkable composure, stitching together a 188-run partnership for the third wicket. Rahul’s gritty 90 off 230 balls was a masterclass in defensive batting, while Gill’s aggressive yet calculated approach kept the scoreboard ticking.
Shubman Gill’s Historic Fourth Century
On Day 5, Gill reached his fourth century of the IND vs ENG series, a feat that placed him in the company of cricketing legends Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar. Scoring 103 off 238 balls, Gill became the first player to achieve four Test centuries in his debut series as captain, surpassing icons like Bradman, Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith. His innings was a blend of elegance and resilience, featuring crisp cover drives and deft footwork against England’s spinners. Gill’s ability to anchor the innings while rotating the strike was pivotal in blunting England’s attack, led by a relentless Ben Stokes.
Stokes, despite battling cramp and a shoulder injury, bowled a fiery spell, dismissing Rahul for 90 with a delivery that kept low. Gill’s dismissal shortly before lunch, edging Jofra Archer to the keeper, handed England a glimmer of hope. At 223/4, India were still 88 runs behind, and with Pant unlikely to bat, the onus fell on Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to salvage the match. This moment underscored the intensity of the IND vs ENG rivalry, where every session brought new twists.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Record-Breaking Heroics
Ravindra Jadeja, India’s talismanic all-rounder, walked in at the fall of Gill’s wicket, with India teetering at 223/4. His first ball was a heart-stopping moment—a thick edge off Archer that Joe Root dropped at first slip. This reprieve proved costly for England, as Jadeja, alongside Washington Sundar, forged an unbroken 203-run partnership for the fifth wicket, the most balls faced (332) by an Indian pair batting at No. 5 or lower in England. Jadeja’s unbeaten 107 off 185 balls, punctuated by 13 boundaries and a towering six, was a testament to his composure under pressure.
Jadeja’s century was his fifth in Test cricket and his second in England, cementing his status as one of India’s most reliable performers in challenging conditions. His knock also saw him equal two monumental records. First, he matched West Indies legend Garry Sobers and VVS Laxman for the most 50-plus scores (five) in a Test series by a batter at No. 6 or lower, achieving this in five of his last six innings. Second, Jadeja became the seventh Indian to cross 1,000 Test runs in England, joining Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. Notably, he surpassed Kohli, who scored 976 runs in England, with his 1,017 runs.
Jadeja’s performance in the IND vs ENG 4th Test was not just about batting. He also claimed four wickets in England’s first innings (4/143), dismissing key batters like Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes. His all-round contribution placed him in an elite club alongside Sobers, becoming the second visiting player—and the first Indian—to score 1,000 runs and take 30 wickets in England Tests. This dual prowess underscored Jadeja’s evolution from a bits-and-pieces player to a world-class all-rounder, a narrative that resonates deeply in the IND vs ENG saga.
Washington Sundar’s Maiden Test Century
Washington Sundar, promoted to No. 5 due to Pant’s injury, played the innings of his life, scoring an unbeaten 101 off 206 balls. His patient knock, featuring a six and several well-timed boundaries, complemented Jadeja’s aggression perfectly. Sundar’s century was his first in Test cricket, a milestone that highlighted his growing stature as an all-rounder. The 203-run stand with Jadeja not only saved the Test but also shifted the momentum heading into the final IND vs ENG Test at The Oval.
Sundar’s ability to occupy the crease for over 100 deliveries justified his selection over specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, a decision that had sparked debate. His disciplined batting, combined with Jadeja’s flair, frustrated England’s bowlers, who struggled on a pitch offering little assistance on Day 5. The duo’s refusal to accept Stokes’ offer of a draw, choosing instead to complete their centuries, added a layer of drama to the match’s conclusion.
England’s Dominance and Stokes’ Heroics
England’s first innings was a masterclass in batting depth, amassing 669 runs, their highest total against India since 2012. Joe Root’s 150, Ben Stokes’ 141, Ben Duckett’s 94, and Zak Crawley’s 84 piled misery on India’s bowlers, with four Indian bowlers—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Jadeja, and Washington Sundar—conceding over 100 runs each. Stokes, in particular, was a colossus, becoming the fifth male captain to score a century and take a five-wicket haul (5/72) in the same Test. His 142-run partnership with Root was a turning point, giving England a commanding 311-run lead.
Despite his physical struggles, Stokes bowled 11 overs on Day 5, grimacing with every delivery but creating early chances. His leadership and all-round brilliance epitomized England’s ‘Bazball’ philosophy, though the draw marked only the second stalemate in 40 Tests under his captaincy. The IND vs ENG series has been defined by such individual brilliance, with Stokes’ duel with Jadeja—marked by tense exchanges and a refused handshake—adding spice to the narrative.
Tactical Takeaways from IND vs ENG
India’s ‘bat deep’ strategy, packing the lineup with all-rounders like Jadeja, Sundar, and Shardul Thakur, drew criticism for diluting specialist roles. The absence of a frontline spinner like Kuldeep Yadav was felt on a pitch that offered little to spinners, with Jadeja and Sundar managing only six wickets combined. However, the same strategy paid dividends in the second innings, as the all-rounders’ batting depth saved the match. This duality reflects the tactical chess game that has defined the IND vs ENG series.
England, meanwhile, relied heavily on Stokes and Liam Dawson, who bowled 47 overs in India’s second innings but failed to break through after the morning session. The pitch, unusually flat for an England Test, neutralized their seamers, with Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes unable to replicate their first-innings impact. The decision to bring on part-time spinner Harry Brook late in the day, allowing Jadeja and Sundar to reach their centuries, underscored England’s frustration.
Records and Milestones in IND vs ENG
The IND vs ENG 4th Test was a record-breaking affair. Gill’s four centuries in the series placed him alongside cricketing royalty, while Jadeja’s feats—equalling Sobers and Laxman, and surpassing Kohli’s run tally in England—cemented his legacy. Sundar’s maiden ton was a personal triumph, and the 203-run partnership between him and Jadeja set a new benchmark for Indian lower-order resilience in England. For England, Stokes’ all-round heroics and Root’s climb to the second-highest run-scorer in Tests added to the match’s historical weight.
Jadeja’s nine 50-plus scores in England Tests surpassed Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane, with his batting average in English conditions topping them all. His ability to thrive where others struggled highlighted his adaptability, a trait that has made him indispensable in India’s Test setup. The IND vs ENG series, with its blend of individual brilliance and team grit, showcased why Test cricket remains the ultimate format.
The Road to The Oval
As the teams head to The Oval for the fifth Test on July 31, 2025, the series remains tantalizingly poised at 2-1 in England’s favor. India’s draw in Manchester, achieved through 143 overs of dogged batting, has swung the momentum their way. Gill’s leadership, initially questioned, has been vindicated by his batting heroics, though tactical adjustments—potentially including Kuldeep Yadav—will be crucial. England, frustrated by their inability to close out the game, will rely on Stokes’ talismanic presence to seal the series.
The IND vs ENG rivalry has delivered unforgettable moments, from Jadeja’s sword-swish celebrations to Stokes’ fiery spells. With rain forecast for The Oval, India’s hopes of leveling the series may hinge on their ability to replicate Manchester’s resilience. For fans, the final Test promises a fitting climax to a series that has redefined Test cricket’s intensity.
In Summary
The IND vs ENG 4th Test was a microcosm of Test cricket’s beauty—grit, skill, and drama intertwined. Shubman Gill’s record-equalling century, Ravindra Jadeja’s historic all-round performance, and Washington Sundar’s breakthrough ton ensured India’s survival, while Ben Stokes’ heroics kept England in the driver’s seat. As the series heads to its decider, the performances in Manchester will resonate, proving that in the cauldron of IND vs ENG, heroes are forged under pressure.
