India keep series with England alive with battling fourth Test draw

India avoid any alarm on the final day of the fourth Test with England to secure a deserved draw at Old Trafford, keeping the best-of-five series alive in the process.

India have battled their way to a draw with England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

KL Rahul and Shubman Gill valiantly laid the foundations during the final two sessions on day two to provide the tourists with what had initially felt like an unlikely chance to keep the best-of-five series alive.

However, despite both top-order batsman losing their wickets before lunch, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja replicated their effort of remaining unbeaten throughout the afternoon session to effectively ensure that the game would end in a draw.

There were farcical scenes at the end as Ben Stokes attempted to bring the game to an early conclusion with no result possible, but India chose to stay out to enable Washington and Jadeja to complete deserved centuries.

Several of England’s players showed frustration and petulance from India’s stance, yet the batting duo deserved their moment after nullifying the bowling attack for nearly two sessions.

 

It’s a maiden Test match hundred for Washington Sundar ?

And that’s it, the players shake hands and the match is drawn, we head to The Oval with England 2-1 up in the series ? pic.twitter.com/kCkEhXKAsb

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 27, 2025

Stokes surprises with ball

Stokes had been a doubt to bowl during the final day, his ailing body feeling the effects of a five-for and a century earlier in the contest, but he trapped Rahul (90) in front of his stumps with the score of 188-3.

Gill lasted a further 79 minutes at the crease, a pivotal period in the context of the game, as he made his fourth century of the series, the India captain eventually departing just before lunch for 103 off 278 deliveries.

The very next ball, Jofra Archer almost set up a hat-trick opportunity, Joe Root dropping a difficult chance to send Jadeja straight back to the pavilion.

That ultimately proved to be costly as Washington (101*) and Jadeja (107*) put on (203) for the fifth wicket to give India the momentum ahead of the fifth and deciding Test, which starts on Thursday.

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