There is no denying the fact that the Indian bowlers had a tough time keeping up with England’s aggressive approach in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. After posting 358 in their first innings, India struggled with the ball, unable to break through England’s batting line-up. England took full advantage of the favourable pitch, piling up a massive 669 to take a commanding lead of 311 runs.
Amid the disappointment, the Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s brother Vikas Kohli voiced his frustration online. Referring to the dominance of India’s previous bowling units, he took to Threads and remarked that not too long ago, the team used to consistently take all the 20 wickets in a Test match. His comments appeared to reflect a longing for the aggressive, pace-heavy bowling performances that were a hallmark of the team during Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
Despite the pressure, India’s second innings saw a determined effort from the batters. After early setbacks with Shubman Gill and KL Rahul departing in the first session on Day 5, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar steadied the innings. Together, they built a strong partnership of 203 runs for the fifth wicket. Both the players remained unbeaten, with Jadeja scoring 107* and Sundar reaching 101*, helping India bat through over five sessions and secure a dramatic draw.
England that had looked sharp with the ball earlier in the match couldn’t replicate that form on the final day. The English bowlers failed to make any real impact during the last two sessions. Ben Stokes, however, stood out throughout the match with a remarkable all-round performance. He scored 141 runs and picked up five wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award for the second Test in a row.
The draw was a significant one for India, as it was their first at Old Trafford in 35 years, the last coming back in 1990. The series now stands at 2-1 in England’s favor, with the fifth and final Test scheduled at The Oval starting July 31.
India will surely learn from the resilience shown by Jadeja and Sundar but questions remain about the team’s bowling strategy and form. As the series finale approaches, selection decisions around Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj’s workload, Kuldeep Yadav’s continued omission and Shardul Thakur’s effectiveness could prove crucial. With the pressure building, how India responds in the final Test will be watched closely.
