Alive and how: Indian batters fight to manage a draw in Manchester

The draw feels like a win. On day five of the England vs India, 4th test in Manchester, Indian all-rounders Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja fought like warriors to save the test match for India. Ravindra Jadeja, who scored his 5th test ton, remained unbeaten on 107 while India and England shook hands after Washington Sundar's maiden test ton.

After 20 intense days of cricket and with England leading the five-match series 2-1, India’s determined fightback denied the hosts a decisive victory, setting up a dramatic series finale at The Oval.

England had the game in the pocket till day four

England began the day hopeful of sealing victory after compiling a massive first innings total of 669, anchored by Joe Root’s 150, Ben Stokes’ commanding 141, and Ben Duckett’s 94. The visitors, however, had no intention of folding as they came into Day 5 trailing by over 300 runs and reeling at 1 for 2 following Chris Woakes’ early strikes on Day 4.

England struck early and won the first session of Day 5

Shubman Gill and KL Rahul epitomised grit and skill, resurrecting India’s innings with a marathon partnership of 188 runs. Gill scored a patient but resolute 103 before being dismissed by Jofra Archer just before lunch, while Rahul contributed 90 before falling to a plumb lbw from Ben Stokes early on Day 5.

Stokes, battling cramp and a shoulder injury, displayed tremendous courage in bowling an eight-over spell, exploiting the variable bounce on a wearing pitch to finally break the crucial partnership.

Read Also: ENG vs IND: Shubman Gill equals Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar with 4th ton of the series

Jadeja and Washington's unbeaten partnership

Despite these breakthroughs, India’s lower order reversed the momentum. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar penned an unbroken and remarkable stand of 203 runs, frustrating England’s bowlers and steadily whittling down the deficit. 

Jadeja scored his fifth Test hundred, his first since a run of consistent half-centuries, while Washington notched his maiden Test century in a composed, chanceless innings that showcased tremendous determination and maturity.

England had their chances

The pitch offered inconsistent bounce, occasionally aiding bowlers but largely settling to favour the batsmen as the day progressed. England’s bowlers, fatigued after long spells and the series’ physical toll, struggled to create consistent chances. A critical drop by Joe Root off Jadeja’s bat early in his innings proved costly, as the partnership grew unassailable.

Read Also: Watch: Ravindra Jadjea survives on first ball, Root with an easy miss

The late-minute drama - Stokes wanted to shake hands, but was denied by Jadeja

The defining moment of the day came late in the final session. Sensing the inevitable, England captain Ben Stokes offered a handshake to Jadeja and Washington Sundar to signal a draw with 15 overs remaining. The offer, an appeal to end the contest in mutual respect, was abruptly declined by the Indian duo, determined to press on and consolidate their remarkable resistance.

Umpires intervened, but India remained determined, batting on to deny England a win in front of a packed Old Trafford crowd.

The refusal to accept the draw generated debate and tension. On the telecast, it was visible that Stokes, visibly frustrated, engaged in heated exchanges with Jadeja and appeared reluctant to acknowledge the spirited Indian rearguard. Some critics decried England’s conduct as lacking sportsmanship, mentioning instances where part-time bowlers Joe Root and Harry Brook reportedly bowled gentle deliveries to allow Jadeja and Sundar to complete their centuries unchallenged.

Everything to play for at the Oval

Ultimately, India finished at 425 for 4, leading by 113 runs with 10 overs left when the players shook hands, officially ending the Test match as a draw. This result kept the series alive and competitive, with England still leading 2-1 as both teams prepare for the decisive fifth Test at The Oval.

England captain Ben Stokes won the player of the match award in back-to-back test matches for his all-rounder performance.

"Extremely pleased with the batting, under pressure the last couple of days, we responded after losing those two early wickets, never easy. It's all about taking the day five wicket out of the equation, every ball is an event, take it ball by ball and take it as deep as possible," Shubman Gill said in the post-match presentation.

"When you have a good game as an allrounder, you assess it by the result at the end of the game. I'd give this all back to get the result that we wanted. It's been a tough five or six weeks [on his body]. I asked the guys to run through a brick wall for the team and tried to lead by example. It's tough work," Ben Stokes said while receiving the Player of the Match award.