 |
|
The fourth day of the Test match between England and India at Old Trafford saw a story of contrasting fortunes. After being subjected to a relentless assault from the English batsmen that propelled them to a mammoth 669, resulting in a daunting 311-run lead, India found themselves staring down the barrel. The memory of conceding 500+ runs in an away Test innings for the first time in a decade, and then watching that number balloon past 600 – a feat last experienced in 2014 – loomed large. The shadow of the Basin Reserve Test, where Brendon McCullum's heroics saved New Zealand, provided a faint glimmer of hope, a parallel of resistance against overwhelming odds. The day began with India reeling from the sheer volume of runs conceded and the psychological impact of England's dominance. Zak Crawley's elegant cover drives, Ben Duckett's aggressive scoring, Joe Root's consistency, and Ben Stokes' unwavering determination had subjected the Indian bowlers and fielders to a grueling ordeal. Every session felt like a continuation of the previous one, with the Indian team seemingly unable to stem the flow of runs. Jasprit Bumrah, a mainstay of the Indian bowling attack, saw his runs conceded figures enter three-digit territory for the first time in his career. The overall feeling was one of helplessness and frustration as England piled on the runs, extending their lead with each passing session.
The Indian innings started disastrously, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan departing within the first four balls, leaving the score at a precarious 0 for 2. The air was thick with the scent of surrender. The prospect of the Test not even reaching the fifth day loomed large. Shubman Gill, facing the hat-trick ball, and KL Rahul, walking out to partner him, found themselves in a pressure cooker situation. However, instead of succumbing to the pressure, they chose a path of resistance. Eschewing a counter-attacking approach, they opted for calm and composure. Gill survived the hat-trick ball, and together, they navigated the remainder of the session without further damage. The partnership between Gill and Rahul became the cornerstone of India's fightback. They did not attempt to chase the game; instead, they focused on slowing it down, consuming valuable time, and gradually eroding England's advantage. The ebb and flow of the crowd's energy mirrored the shifting momentum of the match. Stokes' tactical field placements, with slip transforming into leg slip and silly point morphing into short leg, added to the pressure, but Gill and Rahul remained resolute.
Rahul's disciplined approach, leaving balls outside the line, and Gill's elegant drives when the bowlers erred in length, exemplified their determination. Gill, in particular, faced a barrage of inswinging deliveries, a known weakness, but he weathered the storm. Jofra Archer's spell, characterized by increased swing and seam movement, tested Gill's resolve to the hilt. An inswinger that struck Gill's pads sparked a vociferous appeal, prompting Stokes to review, but the evidence was inconclusive, and Gill survived. This moment proved pivotal, galvanizing Gill and providing a crucial psychological boost. The partnership blossomed, and India's resistance began to take shape. The runs began to flow, and the pressure on the English bowlers started to mount. Gill accelerated to 39 off 36 balls. For the first time in the match, India had some momentum, resisting and pushing back against the English onslaught. There were scares along the way. Gill took a blow to his already strapped thumb, and Rahul was struck on the elbow and knee. Gill was also dropped on 46. Despite these setbacks, they persevered, focusing on the immediate task at hand, playing each ball on its merits, and accumulating runs steadily.
The absence of Stokes from the bowling attack, due to cramp, proved to be a significant advantage for India. The workload fell on the other bowlers, leading to longer spells and softer balls. This allowed Gill and Rahul to further consolidate their position and chip away at the deficit. The emphasis shifted from chasing a target to simply surviving and occupying the crease. It was a gritty, determined effort, a rope-climb out of a deep trench. As the partnership reached milestones – 50, 100, 150 – the batsmen exchanged quiet acknowledgments, a testament to their growing confidence and understanding. They had batted through two entire sessions, a remarkable feat considering the early collapse. Reaching stumps at 174 for 2 represented a significant achievement, but the equation remained challenging. Three sessions remained, and the second new ball was just 17 overs away. The prospect of Stokes returning to bowl loomed large. India needed to bat with exceptional resilience and determination to secure a draw.
The challenges facing India on the fifth day were compounded by Rishabh Pant's compromised physical condition. With a fractured toe, his ability to move freely and bat for an extended period was uncertain. However, despite these difficulties, the path to safety remained open. Gill and Rahul's partnership had provided a foundation and a glimmer of hope. The forecast of rain offered a potential lifeline. If India could erase the deficit and build a lead, the runs would take time to chase, and time could become a crucial factor. While England remained firmly in control and seemed unlikely to lose the Test, India's resilience and determination had earned them the right to fight another day. The opportunity to go into another fifth day still alive was a testament to their spirit and resolve. The article concludes with an acknowledgement of England's dominant position, but also highlights India's fight to stay alive. The author seems to suggest that surviving on the fifth day would be a small victory in itself, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the test match. The match is balanced on a knife-edge, and while England have the clear upper hand, India have shown great character to keep their hopes alive.