🧭 Background & Match Context
- Series Score: England lead 2–1 heading into the Fifth Test at The Oval
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Match Situation: India trailed by 311 in their second innings—down to 0/2 before a monumental fightback began.
🔥 Day 5 Highlights: A Battle of Resilience
- Shubman Gill: Top-scored with his fourth Test century of the series, anchoring the innings with composure.
- KL Rahul: Put up stern resistance, scoring 90 in a vital 137‑run partnership with Gill.
- Ravindra Jadeja & Washington Sundar: Both scored unbeaten centuries (106* and 101*) in a relentless 203‑run stand for the fifth wicket, guiding India from a position of defeat to a draw.
Why India Refused the Draw:
Late on Day 5, with Jadeja and Sundar in the 80s and nearing centuries, Ben Stokes approached with a handshake to offer a mutual draw. India declined, insisting the pair deserved to complete their milestones.
🎯 Day 5: India Rewrite Destiny
1. Gill & Rahul Stop the Bleed
- Shubman Gill (103) and KL Rahul (90) steadied the ship, rebuilding after the early collapse with a gritty 137-run partnership. Gill's century was his fourth in the series, cementing his dominance. Rahul held firm until very late.
2. Jadeja & Sundar’s Epic Rearguard
- Ravindra Jadeja (107)
- and Washington Sundar (101)* delivered one of the greatest rescue acts in recent Test history. Their 203-run unbroken stand spanned over 55 overs, blunting England’s attempts and edging India beyond the 400 mark for their highest score of the match.
3. The Handshake Controversy
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With both nearing centuries and the result virtually decided, Ben Stokes approached India with a draw offer. India declined, insisting the pair deserved to reach their personal milestones. Despite taunts from some English players—including remarks such as “Want a Test hundred against Harry Brook?”—India stayed resolute.
💡 Why This Draw Resonates
- A Test of Character: From 0/2 to 425/4 in a pressure-cooker final day.
- Rare feat: Sundar’s maiden Test ton and Jadeja’s fightback century in the same innings.
- Impact: The draw keeps India alive in the series, shifting momentum to the final Test at The Oval.
🧱 The Giant Partnerships: Plastic to Pride
- Gill-Rahul Stand: 137 runs for the third wicket, halting the collapse at 2 down .
- Jadeja-Sundar Rescue: A fearless 203-run partnership that erased the deficit, secured the lead and protected six more wickets deep into the final session .
🧠 Tactical & Emotional Stand-Off
- England frustration: As India continued batting, England fielders jeered at Jadeja and Sundar’s refusal to shake hands, even taunting Jadeja with remarks like, “Want a century against Harry Brook?” ⬅️ Jadeja silenced critics emphatically.
- India’s response: Undeterred, Jadeja and Sundar played with grit and discipline, demonstrating mental toughness worthy of praise from legends like Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton.
📈 Scoreboard Summary
| Innings | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | England | 669 all out |
| 2nd | India | Trailed by 311 – recovered to lead |
| 2nd | India | 425/4 declared (Gill 103, Rahul 90, Jadeja 107*, Sundar 101*) |
🌟 Key Takeaways
- Captain Gill’s Leadership: Four centuries in the series—it’s a rare mark of consistency and courage in English conditions.
- Jadeja Moonlighting as Hero: His unbeaten 107* marks a record-equalling 59-year milestone (most 50+ at No.6 or less in England), matching Sir Garfield Sobers.
- Sundar’s Maiden Ton: An unforgettable maiden Test century, under immense pressure and scrutiny .
- Spirit of Test Cricket: India’s refusal to accept the handshake draw, letting batters complete their centuries, sparked debate about sportsmanship—a controversial but stirring moment in this rivalry.
🏁 Final Thoughts
India’s draw at Old Trafford stands out as one of Test cricket’s modern masterpieces. After being unravelled early and facing long odds, India's lower order, led by Jadeja and Sundar, stood firm with century knocks that not only denied defeat but turned the match into a moral victory.
With the series currently at 2–1 in England's favour, India head into the decisive fifth Test at The Oval brimming with confidence. They showed character, grit, and refusal to quit—a performance that will long be remembered.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Who scored centuries to secure the draw?
A: Shubman Gill (103), Ravindra Jadeja (107*), and Washington Sundar (101*) were the centurions.Q2: Why did India decline Stokes’s draw offer?
A: Jadeja and Sundar were nearing centuries and decided to finish their innings—India felt they earned the right to complete their milestones.Q3: What does this result mean for the series?
A: The series stays at 2–1 to England, with one Test left at The Oval.Q4: Was there controversy during the final day?
A: Yes—England’s players taunted India’s batters and tensions flared over sportsmanship perceptions.Q5: Did this result rank among top creditable Test draws?
A: Absolutely. It’s considered a top-class rearguard stand and anti-collapse performance, often compared to legendary fightbacks in Test history.
Q6: What was the critical partnership that saved India?
A: Gill–Rahul (137) followed by Jadeja–Sundar (203*) rescued India from collapse to a draw.Q7: Was this match part of World Test Championship?
A: Yes, as part of the 2025 cycle, with India needing to secure points to stay in contention.Q8: Has such a dramatic rescue happened before?
A: While there have been remarkable fightbacks, this combination of trio hundreds and a draw forced from the brink ranks among the most dramatic in recent Test history.
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