ENG vs IND 2025: Ravindra Jadeja celebrates hard-fought draw by kissing Manchester pitch

Ravindra Jadeja celebrated India’s heroic draw at Old Trafford with a kiss on the Manchester pitch after staying unbeaten till the end. His gritty 107* off 185 balls marked his fifth Test century and played a crucial role in keeping the five-match series alive ahead of the final game at The Oval. Coming in at number six, Jadeja showcased great composure and resilience, joining forces with Washington Sundar to thwart England’s hopes of victory on the final day of the fourth Test in truly memorable fashion.

Jadeja entered the crease with India still trailing by 89 runs, and alongside Washington Sundar (101* off 206), forged a remarkable 203-run unbroken partnership for the fifth wicket. Their stand not only blunted the English attack but also completely drained the hosts of energy and momentum. The draw was not just a moral win for India, but also a record-breaking performance, as they became the first team to register seven 350-plus totals in a single Test series.

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India also created history by having four batters—Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jadeja—score over 400 runs each in a Test series for the first time. Additionally, this was the first instance of three Indian batters scoring centuries in the third or fourth innings of a Test match, with Gill contributing 103 off 238 balls. It marked just the third time India batted out more than 100 overs in the third innings to save a Test after conceding a 300+ run first-innings lead.

India and England head to Oval with 2-1 in England's favour

India’s determined stand on Days 4 and 5 kept the series alive, giving them an opportunity to level the five-match contest at 2-2. With renewed momentum, the Men in Blue will aim for a strong finish in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, beginning Thursday, July 31. The spirited draw at Old Trafford has set the stage for a dramatic finale, where India will look to complete their comeback and end the series on a high in the English capital.

Despite the morale boost, India face a pressing injury crisis ahead of the decider. Jasprit Bumrah, having fulfilled his three-match quota, looked visibly fatigued in the fourth Test and is unlikely to play. Mohammed Siraj and Rishabh Pant also battled injury concerns during the match, putting their participation in doubt. These fitness issues create selection dilemmas and threaten to weaken India’s lineup as they gear up for a must-win encounter at The Oval.