ENG vs IND 2025, 4th Test Day 4 Highlights: KL Rahul, Shubman Gill lead fightback as India trail by 173 runs after England’s massive 669.
Brief Scores: England 669 (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141, Ravindra Jadeja 4/143) lead India 358 & 174/2 (KL Rahul 87*, Shubman Gill 78*, Chris Woakes 2/48) by 137 runs
England piled up a record-breaking total at Old Trafford, thanks to a splendid century from skipper Ben Stokes (141 runs). With a lead of more than 300 runs, Chris Woakes led England’s dominance by taking two quick wickets with the new ball before Rahul-Gill’s resilient fightback saved the day for India.
India stumble in first session after England’s strong finish
Before the day’s play, England were already in a dominant position, having been ahead by 186 runs with three of their first innings wickets still intact.Â
Ben Stokes, who was batting on 77 overnight, survived a run-out scare early on, but that was the only moment when he appeared like getting out.
Stokes completed his first Test century in more than a year, to follow his five-wicket haul with the ball earlier in the game. He accelerated post his ton and added 105 runs for the 10th wicket alongside Brydon Carse (47), and this partnership took them past the 650-run mark.
Jadeja took both their wickets, but it was too late as England’s first innings had already soared past the 300 mark, 311 to be precise.
India suffered another nightmare late in the session, losing two wickets in the very first over. Chris Woakes snapped both batters, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudarshan, who scored a half-century in the first innings to reduce India to 1/ 2 going into lunch.
Read More: ENG vs IND, 4th Test, Day 3: England dominate India as Joe Root becomes second-highest run-getter in Tests
India batters respond better in second sessionÂ
Starting the session at a precarious position, both KL Rahul and Shubman Gill were tested with several probing deliveries in the initial phase. The skipper, in particular, survived close shaves, and a dropped catch, but English pacers didn’t find any rewards for their efforts.
After going the first half hour unscathed, the pair played some crunching straight drives and kept the runs column busy. Gill reached a welcome half-century after a mini-slump in form in recent outings, and this ensured that India reach 86/2 going into Tea.
Gill-Rahul determined effort keep England at bay
The India pair continued to be resolute in their defense. They crossed the 100-run partnership milestone early in the third session and negated the short-pitched ploy employed by pacers, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer.Â
While the runs didn’t come as quickly as we saw in England’ innings, the temperament of these two batters kept the hosts at bay. KL Rahul upped the pace a little in this session and at the end of the day, overtook Gill as both these batters ended the unbeaten.
As a result of their stubborn stand, India has reduced the deficit to 137 runs, but still a long way in their quest to save the game.Â
Read More: ENG vs IND 2025, 4th Test, Day 2: Crawley, Duckett Lead England’s 166-Run Opening Stand to Nullify India’s 358
What’s Next
Thanks to this stand between Gill and Rahul, the Test match will move into the fifth day, and India are pretty much alive in the contest. England will look to break this stand as quickly as possible on day 5 and go into India’s fragile lower middle-order.
On the other hand, India will look to take the game as deep as possible and negate the threat of the second new ball. For that, Rahul and Gill will need to convert this score into a big one.
Statistical Highlights from Old Trafford ENG vs IND 2025 Test, Day 4:
- This is the first time that Jasprit Bumrah conceded more than 100 runs in a single innings in Tests.
- It is just the third time Bumrah has bowled 30 or more overs (33) in an inningsÂ
- Ben Stokes registered his 14th Test hundred, his first since June 2023. This is also his second Test hundred against India
- Stokes completes 7000 runs in Test cricket
- Ben Stokes is only the third player to score 7000 runs and take 200 wickets in Test cricket
- Stokes’ century means this is the 41st instance of a player taking a 5-wicket haul and making a 100 in the same Test
- This is also the fifth instance of a captain doing so in a Test match
- This is only the second time that India have conceded a 500+ total to an opposing team in an away Test since January 2015. The first 600+ to boot.
- England registered the highest team total in a Test innings at Old Trafford.
- Rahul & Gill brought up the first 100+ third wicket stand for India at Old Trafford in Tests.
Read More: ENG vs IND, 4th Test, Day 1: India’s top order blunts England attack; visitors 264-4 at stumps
Top Twitter/X Reactions from ENG vs IND 2025, Old Trafford, Day 4
Absolute love fight and character in Test cricket .. India have shown that in abundance today .. #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 26, 2025
Skill, tenacity and great determination. False shot % in this session is a mere 6%. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill have shown their class.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 26, 2025
Match still in England’s favour but stirring fightback by India! After cinceding lead of 311 and losing 2 wickets in first over of 2nd innings all seemed lost. But rock-solid Rahul, and Gill playing a captain’s knock, have inspired hope of keeping series alive till the last Test
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 26, 2025
5 wickets and a century in the same Test is a mighty achievement by a mighty cricketer #BenStokes
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 26, 2025
There was pressure on his batting after the Edgbaston loss, and he’s responded in the best possible manner.
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 26, 2025
A fifer in the first innings, now a 💯 — turning the game and the series away from India.
P.S. Don’t forget the crucial run-out of Rishabh at Lord’s and those long,… pic.twitter.com/P6OkSFgwRI
Read More:Â Does Sai Sudharsan deserve a long run at no. 3 for India in Tests?
