New Delhi: While it seemed to be end of the road for India after England posted a mammoth first innings total on board but Shubman Gill and KL Rahul fought with grit and determination to help the visitors stay alive in the Manchester Test. The duo batted fearlessly for more than two sessions to push England on the backfoot after they had gained absolute command in the game.
At stumps on the fourth day at Old Trafford, India were strongly placed at 174/2, trailing England by 137 runs. While skipper Gill was unbeaten on 78, Rahul held the fort on 87 not out after England scored 669 runs in their first innings in reply to India’s first innings score of 358.
After Chris Woakes rattled the Indian team with wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) and Sai Sudharsan (0) on the first two deliveries of the second innings respectively, both Gill and Rahul exhibited class at its best as they played a typical red-ball cricket to bail out their side from the precarious position. The English bowlers kept fancying their chances after the initial two blows but Gill and Rahul stood tall all through.
More to follow..
