After being pummeled in the first innings by England’s mammoth 669-run total, India showed serious grit and determination on Day 4 of the 4th Test. At stumps, India stood at 174/2, trailing by 137 runs, with KL Rahul (87)* and Shubman Gill (78)* holding the fort with an unbeaten 174-run stand for the third wicket.
🏏 England’s Commanding First Innings
Earlier in the day, Joe Root continued his golden run in red-ball cricket with a composed 150, climbing to second place on the all-time Test run-scorers list. He was well supported by Ben Stokes, who followed up his five-wicket haul with a brilliant 141, showcasing his all-round brilliance.
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| Gill, Rahul dig deep to pull India Back. |
England eventually posted 669 all out, thanks to consistent contributions across the board. India’s bowlers toiled hard, with Ravindra Jadeja picking up 4 wickets, while Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with key breakthroughs.
🇮🇳 India’s Second Innings: From Collapse to Consolidation
India’s second innings didn’t start well. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan fell cheaply to an inspired opening spell by Chris Woakes, leaving India reeling at 0/2. But what followed was an impressive display of patience and skill from two of India’s most composed batters.
KL Rahul, returning from injury, battled through pain after a blow to the knee and scored a resilient 87*. His partner, Shubman Gill, looked increasingly confident as the innings progressed, playing elegant drives and back-foot punches to reach 78* at the close of play.
Their partnership, spanning over two sessions, has given India a fighting chance going into Day 5.
🌧️ Weather, Wickets & What’s Next
Weather played a part once again, with a few rain interruptions slowing the day’s momentum. However, India’s unbroken third-wicket stand provided a much-needed boost to their morale. With the pitch starting to assist spinners and uneven bounce creeping in, the final day promises to be a tense battle.
India will aim to erase the remaining 137-run deficit and avoid an innings defeat, while England will push hard for a win to level the series.
🔑 Key Stats from Day 4:
England 1st Innings: 669 all out
Joe Root – 150
Ben Stokes – 141
Ravindra Jadeja – 4/117
India 2nd Innings: 174/2 at Stumps
KL Rahul – 87*
Shubman Gill – 78*
Chris Woakes – 2/41
💬 Final Thoughts
Day 4 was a testament to Test cricket’s unpredictability. From England’s batting fireworks to India’s quiet resilience, the day had everything. Rahul and Gill’s unbroken partnership has set up a fascinating finale on Day 5. Whether India can survive or script a miracle remains to be seen.
