As the series heads to The Oval with England holding a 2-1 lead, this Manchester epic will serve as a reminder that India will not bow down easily
Manchester has always served as a proving ground for Indian cricketers. The conditions are harsh, the pitch is a silent killer, and the crowd is unyielding. Yet, in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, India transformed Old Trafford into a battlefield of resilience.
Trailing England by a substantial 311 runs, the visitors batted for over five sessions to secure a historic draw. It wasn't merely about survival; it was about standing tall against all odds. Here are the five crucial Indian moments from Manchester that will resonate for years.
Shubman Gill's second-innings masterclass at Old Trafford solidified his reputation among the greats. Coming in at 0/2 after Chris Woakes tore through Jaiswal and Sai Sudarshan, Gill fought through England's aggressive pace attack and scored a superb 103 off 238 balls, his fourth century of the series.
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The 24-year-old captain joined Sunil Gavaskar and Yashasvi Jaiswal as only the third Indian to surpass 700 runs in a Test series. During this feat, Gill broke Kohli's long-standing record of 692 runs in a single series and overtook Jaisasvial's 712 runs. His 417-ball partnership with KL Rahul (90 off 247 balls) lasted over 60 overs and helped India to salvage the Test.
Ravindra Jadeja's ability to adapt under pressure once again came to the fore. With India still 150 runs behind England's total, Jadeja joined forces with Washington Sundar after Gill's dismissal and absorbed over three hours of relentless bowling.
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The veteran all-rounder batted through 102 balls for his first fifty and then shifted gears after tea. He finished with 107 not out off 185 deliveries, his fifth Test hundred and second in England. He became the first Indian to score two Test centuries at No.6 or below in English conditions.
Day 5 delivered one of the most captivating moments of the match. England, frustrated by Jadeja and Sundar's unwavering partnership, offered India a draw when both batters were in their 80s. But the duo, eyeing personal milestones and eager to prove a point, refused it.
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It was a decision filled with pride and competitive spirit. Jadeja and Sundar eventually raised their bats to acknowledge their centuries, taking their partnership beyond 200 runs. England was forced to watch as India closed the door on them in style.
Washington Sundar's unbeaten 101 off 206 balls was more than just a first Test century; it was a statement. Returning to the Test series, Sundar complemented Jadeja perfectly with a composed, steady innings that helped India close the deficit.
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His push for 2 runs against Harry Brook to reach three figures will be remembered as one of the most celebrated moments of the series.
A few moments inspire fans more than Rishabh Pant playing while injured. After hurting his right toe while reverse sweeping Chris Woakes in the first innings, Pant surprisingly returned to bat on Day 2.
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He played with strategic aggression, launching a massive six over Jofra Archer and finding gaps comfortably despite limping between the wickets. His 54 off 75 balls marked his fifth fifty-plus score in the series, totalling over 500 runs. Although Archer ended his innings early, Pant's effort helped India surpass 350 runs in the first innings and kept them competitive.
