NEW DELHI: India’s bowlers struggled to match England’s intensity during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. After being bowled out for 358 in the first innings, India failed to replicate England’s bowling performance. The hosts capitalised on batting-friendly conditions and posted a mammoth 669, taking a commanding 311-run lead.Virat Kohli’s brother, Vikas Kohli, appeared to take a veiled dig at India’s bowling unit following their lacklustre performance. Posting on Threads, he wrote: “Not long ago, we had a Test team where our bowlers used to take 20 wickets,” seemingly alluding to the era under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
Despite the uphill task, India’s batters produced a spirited fightback in the second innings. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar led the resistance with unbeaten centuries, helping India bat out more than five sessions to force a draw.
India finished Day 5 at 425/4, with Jadeja (107*) and Sundar (101*) stitching a crucial 203-run stand for the fifth wicket. Their defiance ensured India escaped defeat, despite England’s early breakthroughs — dismissing captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul in the first session. The hosts went wicketless in the final two sessions of the match.Ben Stokes was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, having claimed a five-wicket haul and scored a superb 141 in the first innings. It was his second straight POTM award in the series.This draw marked India’s first at Old Trafford in 35 years — the last instance coming in 1990. England now lead the five-match series 2-1 heading into the decider at The Oval, starting July 31.
