India pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in Test cricket history at Old Trafford, saving the game from the jaws of defeat and keeping the series alive. After spending 157 overs in the field and conceding a massive 311-run first innings lead, India found themselves at 0/2 in just the first over of their second innings. But what followed was a breathtaking show of resilience and character.
A Fightback for the Ages
At lunch on Day 4, most cricket pundits and fans had already handed the match and series to England. India were crumbling, the scoreboard looked grim, and the morale seemed flat. But Shubman Gill and the Indian batters had other ideas. Over the next five sessions, India batted out 140+ overs, grinding, sweating, and frustrating England's attack into the ground.By the final hour of play, England looked desperate to go off, hoping to save their bodies from further deterioration. But India wanted their batters to get to their hundreds, and the moment England offered a handshake, India declined. Ben Stokes and his team were visibly rattled and unhappy, but India were within their rights to continue.
A Rare and Historic Draw
In the long history of Indian Test cricket, there have been only two instances where the team managed to save a match after conceding a 300-plus run lead and batting more overs than they did in Manchester. One came in Napier, 2009, where India batted out a staggering 180 overs against New Zealand. The other was way back in 1979 at Lord’s, surviving 148 overs against England. That’s how rare and special this Old Trafford draw truly is.
Numbers That Tell a Story
India ended the match at 425/4. It
was the first time ever that three Indian batters scored hundreds in the third or fourth innings of a Test match. Even more extraordinary, only the third time in Test history that a team has gone past 400 after losing their first two wickets without a run.
The Emotional Shift
Saturday had ended in gloom. But Sunday brought joy to millions of Indian fans. From despair to defiance, India’s great escape became an emotional high. England’s frustration, visible in the final over drama, was the perfect backdrop to a day that felt like a win for Indian cricket.This wasn’t just a draw. It was a message. A reminder that this Indian team, no matter the odds, refuses to surrender.
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