Ahead of the Day 1 of England vs India 5th Test of the 5-match series, Rishabh Upadhyay, a net bowler, reported about India's preparation for the final-like encounter at The Oval.

After a draw in the Manchester Test, the series remains at 2-1, with England in the driver's seat. Team India has no choice but to win the match at The Oval to make the scoreline 2-2. Ahead of the all-important encounter for the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, India prepared heavily to produce a possible best result. Rishabh Upadhyay described his experience in the nets against India batters.

According to the Bristol-born, India batters were looking in great touch. In his own words, "(Shubman) Gill was solid." And for young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, he said, "Jaiswal flicked everything off his legs." Rishabh Upadhyay, 19, is a Bristol-born all-rounder who currently plays for the second team of Essex. If his report reflects the match, then England can face a rock-solid hurdle.

Read More: ENG vs IND 2025: India likely to make 4 changes in 5th Test : Reports

Teams without they prime players

The home team will have to play without their full-time skipper, Ben Stokes, who was in stunning form, claiming multiple man-of-the-match awards in the ongoing tournament. Stokes was ruled out from the match because of injury. It will be an interaction contest to see between India and England without the all-rounder. Gill has been in superb form from the beginning of the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal also added important runs as the opener.

To win the match at The Oval, they will have to produce something big again, overcoming their weak points, which were exposed before. India also has injury concerns. Because of that they'll not get the service of Rishabh Pant. He injured his right foot in the last match at Old Trafford. 

One of the most charismatic players to have wielded the cricket bat, KL Rahul, made his debut in the Indian Test team during the 2014 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the MCG in Melbourne. Since then, he has been on and off the team before solidifying his spot with incredible overseas performances during the late 2020s. Known for his calm and composed on-field demeanour coupled with a copybook style batting technique, Rahul has been one of India's prominent run-getters in overseas Tests. Out of his ten Test centuries, nine have come outside home conditions. Among these, seven tons have come from SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). 

With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's departures from the red-ball format, the Karnataka batter happened to be one of the mainstays of the Indian national team in the format. The experienced batter has batted in almost every position from one to six in Test cricket. Moreover, Rahul's versatility and willingness to contribute are the primary reasons behind his increased recognition. As the wicketkeeper-batter rises to prominence, let us hover through his best -- dealing with KL Rahul's Test centuries. Not only in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, but India will also be banking on Rahul to deliver in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. On that note, let us relive the Test centuries by KL in his Test career so far;

KL Rahul Test centuries

110 vs Australia

After an underwhelming performance on his debut test during the Boxing Day Test against Australia, Rahul was backed for the New Year's Test in the same series. To everyone's surprise, the youngster went on to notch up 110 runs off 262 balls at the Sydney Cricket Ground. 

Australia batted first and declared for 572 runs before Rahul's century laid the foundation for a 475-run total in India's first innings. He batted for almost five and a half hours, negating the likes of Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Shane Watson. Apart from Rahul's 110, Virat Kohli orchestrated a captain's knock, racking up 147 off 230 balls.  

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

108 vs Sri Lanka

Rahul's second Test century came during India's tour to Sri Lanka in August 2015. The right-handed batter gave a terrific start to the Men in Blue despite losing the early couple of wickets in the form of Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma supported the Karnataka star for a good period, as their fifties, alongwith Rahul's century, made way for Wriddhiman Saha's 56, propelling India to 393 runs. 

Although Angelo Mathews scored a ton in Sri Lanka's first innings, it wasn't enough to help the hosts beat the Men in Blue. Due to his second Test century, Rahul was adjudged the player of the match. Ajinkya Rahane's 126 and Murali Vijay's 82 in the second innings were other pivotal numbers that helped India seal the victory in Colombo.

158 vs West Indies

After his second Test ton, 'two' was the constant number that read underneath Rahul's score for three consecutive innings. However, the horrible streak broke during India's tour to the West Indies in 2016. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 158 off 303 balls in Kingston to notch up his third Test ton. 

Electing to bat first after winning the toss turned out to be a horrid decision for the Men in Maroon as they felt the heat from the Indian pacers and Ravichandran Ashwin, with the latter claiming a fifer. West Indies could gather only 196 runs in the first innings and conceded 500 in the second innings. Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane were among the centurions for the visitors.

The stylish Karnataka batter showcased his elegance against the Caribbean bowlers in his first tour to the island nation. His 158 off 303 balls was spread along 15 fours and three sixes, while Rahane smacked 108 off 237 balls with 13 fours and three sixes.

199 vs England

One of Rahul's favourite opponents has to be England, as he has scored as many as four centuries against them thus far. The fifth Test between India and England in December 2016 is renowned for many reasons. One of the primary ones was Karun Nair's unbridled 303, after which it took him almost nine years to make a comeback in the Indian setup. In the same match, Rahul missed a double ton by a run.

Batting first, Moeen Ali's 146 and fifties from Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid steered the Three Lions to 477 at the M. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. In reply, Rahul and Parthiv Patel offered a scintillating start with the bat, aggregating a 152-run opening partnership before a flurry of wickets forced Karun into the crease. The Karnataka pair made the most of the good batting conditions, consolidating a 161-run fourth-wicket partnership. Rahul, who previously converted his good start to his fourth Test century, went on to amass 199 runs off 311 balls. A breathtaking innings from the top-order batter was overshadowed by a one-of-a-kind knock from Karun that helped India beat England by an innings and 75 runs.

149 vs England

It took almost two years and 28 innings for Rahul's next Test century. Once again, it was a familiar opposition but a different venue. From scoring a ton against them at home to smashing winning hearts by scoring an overseas century, Rahul came a long way in 2018. 

The elegant batter was almost a regular in the Indian setup by then, and his 144 off 224 balls at the Kennington Oval rubbished the critics, leading to the encounter. 

Batting first, England gathered 332 runs before India could reach only 292 runs in 95 overs, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja's fighting 86 off 155 balls. While third innings centuries from Sir Alaistair Cook and Joe Root steered England to a great position in the game, Rahul's fighting 149 was one of the positives for the Men in Blue. Despite losing out on partners, Rahul was steady against the new ball duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson. 

Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Hanuma Vihari departed for single-digit scores in the game, but Rishabh Pant's 114 and Rahul's ton kept the contest alive for India. However, the target of 464 runs is too uphill a task for any team to chase down, as England won the fifth Test of the series by 118 runs.

129 vs England

Rahul already had five centuries in the red-ball format under his name before the pandemic. Post-pandemic, his rise started with a mesmerising century against England at the home of cricket. He became one of the rare Indians to have etched his name on the Lord's Cricket Ground honour board. 

Batting first in the second Test of the series, Rohit Sharma and Rahul played out of their skin against the English pacers. The conditions were perfect for the England bowlers, and at times, the Indian batters had to adapt to the conditions and play ugly.

Rahul was brilliant in judging the balls outside the off stump and played to his merit, scoring an eye-catching ton in one of cricket's iconic venues. Although Rohit missed out on a century by 17 runs, Rahul made the most of the start, mustering 129 off 250 balls with twelve fours and a six. His tremendous knock was one of the pivotal reasons behind India's 151-run win at the home of cricket.

123 vs South Africa

Rahul's first century in South Africa came in a winning cause in 2021. Batting first with his close mate, Mayank Agarwal, the Karnataka lads aggregated 117 runs for the opening stand before Cheteshwar Pujara followed suit, Agarwal on consecutive deliveries. Irrrespective of the added pressure, the right-hander showcased intensive technique against some of the best fast bowlers in Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen to rack up 123 runs off 260 balls. 

Scoring a ton in Centurion is considered a massive task as the conditions often demand great technique, temperament, and understanding of the game situation. Rahul's sensational knock was a personification of all of the aforementioned adjectives.

101 vs South Africa

During the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in 2023, KL Rahul notched up yet another century. This was a tad different from his previous ton at the very same venue. It came in a losing cause and batting in a different position. 

Rahul, throughout his cricket career, has been susceptible to adjustments in batting positions across formats. When it came to the red-ball format, the wicketkeeper-batter was asked to don the gloves and bat lower down the order, filling the void of Rishabh Pant, who was absent from the scene due to a grave car accident back then.

The Indian team was in a precarious position in the first of the two-match Test, with the score reading 121/6. Under adverse conditions, Rahul soaked in pressure and counterpunched the opposition with a measured approach. He ticked the scoreboard with calculative risk and batted with the tail to help India get 245 runs in the first innings. Rahul tried to face the maximum number of balls at the fag end of the innings, ending up scoring his eighth century (101) in Test cricket.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant replacement official for the ENG vs IND 5th Test 

137 vs England

Under a young captain in Shubman Gill, India faced off against the English heat in the first of the five-match series. The recent retirement of mainstays Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli only made it more challenging for a young troop with a few senior pros. One of them happened to be KL Rahul. Having already smashed a couple of Test tons against England, the wicketkeeper-batter continued his assertion at the start of the tour, ensuring his experience comes more than handy for the country.

After Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant struck centuries in the first innings, Rahul smoked a 137-run knock off 247 balls against the likes of Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Ben Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir. 

Despite losing Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan early in the innings, Rahul and Pant glued a 195-run stand for the fourth wicket, making sure India reached 364 runs and had some substance for the bowlers to defend. However, India failed to do the needful as England sealed an epic chase with five wickets in hand.

100 vs England

In the very same, Rahul struck yet another century. Cometh the third test at the historic Lord's, the 33-year-old neutralised Joe Root's magnificent ton with a century of his own. Opening the batting, Jaiswal fell cheaply to Jofra Archer before Rahul kept the scoreboard moving with the assistance of Karun Nair, Gill, and Rishabh Pant. 

From a tricky situation in the contest, Rahul and Pant added 141 runs together for the fourth wicket, with the former notching up an excellent century. He scored 100 off 177 balls with 13 fours under his name. This was Rahul's second Test century at the mecca of cricket as he became one of the rarest players to have racked up a century here twice.

Rahul's hundred was one of the indispensable factors that helped India equal England's tally of 387 runs in their respective first innings. A complete bowling effort from the Indians folded the English side to 192 runs, but the visiting batters faltered in the fourth innings. While Rahul gave a brisk start with the bat, the top and middle order collapsed. Ravindra Jadeja was the lone man fighting it out till the end. India were 112/8 when Nitish Kumar Reddy was dismissed. With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj at the other end, Jadeja captained India's innings before an unfortunate Mohammed Siraj dismissal left the Men in Blue 22 runs short of what could have been a heist of a chase.   

FAQS:

Q) How many Test centuries did KL Rahul score at Lord's? 

Ans: KL Rahul has smashed as many as two centuries at the Lord's Cricket Ground. Dilip Vengsarkar is the only other Indian to have scored three centuries at the particular venue.

Q) How many Test centuries has KL Rahul scored against England?

Ans: KL Rahul has scored four centuries against England.

Q) How many Test centuries did KL Rahul score in England?

Ans: KL Rahul has scored three centuries in England.

India's upcoming fifth and final Test against England at The Oval may mark the debut of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy tilted 2-1 in England's favor, the Indian team management is considering changes to the bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah, who has been India’s pace spearhead throughout the series, might be rested to manage his workload. In such a scenario, Arshdeep's inclusion could provide the side with a fresh and strategic option in the pace department for this crucial encounter.

Arshdeep, aged 25, was initially in contention for a debut in the fourth Test in Manchester. However, a thumb injury sustained during a practice session in Beckenham dashed those hopes. He required stitches and underwent a brief rehabilitation period. Now fully fit, Arshdeep has returned to training and bowled with full intensity during an optional net session ahead of the final Test, signalling his readiness to step onto the red-ball stage.

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As per a TOI report, Arshdeep had been part of the management’s plans for the last two matches. With Bumrah’s possible exclusion and concerns over Mohammed Siraj's physical strain, Arshdeep’s inclusion could restore balance in the pace unit. His childhood coach, Jaswant Rai, has voiced his support, stating that Arshdeep is ready for the challenges of Test cricket. This opportunity could mark a pivotal moment in the young pacer’s red-ball journey.

Arshdeep Singh Trains Intensively with Bowling Coach Morne Morkel Ahead of Potential Test Debut

Arshdeep Singh, fresh off a stellar T20 World Cup campaign where he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets, played a key role in India’s title win, especially with a match-defining 19th over in the final. Despite his achievements in the shorter format, Arshdeep has always expressed a desire to represent India in Test cricket. Over the past month, he has worked intensively with bowling coach Morne Morkel to sharpen his red-ball skills, preparing himself for the longer format. His determination could finally pay off with a debut in the final Test at The Oval.

In the likely bowling combination for the Oval Test, Arshdeep may join Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep in the pace attack. The decision on Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion will be taken closer to match day, given ongoing workload concerns. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav is also being considered to replace Shardul Thakur, offering a wrist-spin variation. With the series standing at 2-1, India will look to level it in the final game.

India Probable playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah appeared visibly fatigued during the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. It was his third match of the series, the maximum he had initially committed to before the tour began. Following India’s gritty draw in the match, attention has now shifted to whether Bumrah will be fit enough to feature in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. His presence would undoubtedly strengthen India’s chances of levelling the series, but concerns over his workload and history of back injuries make the decision a delicate one.

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra weighed in on the situation, suggesting Bumrah’s inclusion should be evaluated based on workload rather than just match count. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted that although Bumrah only bowled in one innings during the fourth Test, he delivered 33 taxing overs and conceded over 100 runs, something that had never happened in his Test career before. The decision, he said, must balance risk with need.

See Also: 'What goes around comes around....' - Former England legend supports India after final moment drama of fourth Test

“We had spoken about workload management for Jasprit. Of course, it's a very quick turnaround, but India have bowled only once. We didn't bowl on the first and last days. We bowled on Day 2 and Day 3, and a little bit on Day 4,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Workload management is not about how many matches you play: Aakash Chopra

Before the series began, the Indian team management had clearly stated that Jasprit Bumrah would feature in only three of the five Tests to manage his workload effectively. His breakdown influenced this cautious approach during the final day of the Sydney Test in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah’s recurring back injury has already caused him to miss major tournaments like the Champions Trophy and a home series against England. To safeguard his long-term fitness and prevent further setbacks, the team must handle the premier fast bowler’s workload with strategic care.

“Workload management is not about how many matches you play. It should be about the number of overs you bowl. Should Bumrah be playing with the series on the line?” Chopra commented amidst prevalent workload talks of Bumrah.

India captain Shubman Gill rated his gritty second-innings hundred at Old Trafford as his most satisfying knock of the England tour so far, calling it a defining moment in the series. Gill, who has been in scintillating form throughout, notched up his fourth century of the tour to lead India’s stirring fightback in the drawn fourth Test at Manchester.

Speaking after the match, Gill said the innings stood out not just for the runs but for the mental resilience it required. “I think this inning of mine was the most pleasing to me,” said Gill in an interview with the BCCI. “To be able to have that same mindset for 140 overs is very difficult, and that is what differentiates a good team from a great team, and I think we showed that today.”

Gill-Rahul rescue act, Jadeja-Sundar heroics help India pull off dramatic draw at Old Trafford

India had found themselves in dire straits, reeling at 0 for 2 after being asked to follow on, still trailing by over 300 runs. But a 188-run partnership between Gill and KL Rahul on Day 4 laid the foundation for the rescue mission. Rahul’s composed 90 was the perfect foil to Gill’s authoritative hundred, helping instill belief in the dressing room.

ALSO SEE: ICC penalizes West Indies for shocking reason during T20I series against Australia

“Zero for two and then the partnership between me and KL bhai, I think that’s what ignited the belief that yes, we can achieve this task,” said Gill. “Extremely happy. To be able to get a draw from the position that we were in yesterday is extremely satisfying.”

After Gill and Rahul batted, it was Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar who made sure India didn't collapse on day five. Jadeja's calmness and Sundar's maiden Test century eased India to stumps, depriving England of what looked like an easy win from the ascendancy.

The 223-run partnership led unbroken by Jadeja and Sundar represents a nice ending to India's brave escape; the series now moves on to the fifth and final Test at The Oval. With England ahead by 2-1, India will celebrate this spirited draw before trying to level the series in London.

Injuries have increased the tension of the Indian team on the England tour. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant got injured during the Lord's Test. In his place, Dhruv Jurel did the wicketkeeping.

Pant was again injured in the fourth Test. This time, too, Dhruv Jurel was needed. Even though Pant has a fracture in his toe, he came out to bat. However, he is not doing wicketkeeping.

Jurel took over as the wicketkeeper and did well behind the stumps. He took two catches in England’s first innings and also stumped key players Joe Root and Harry Brook. For his brilliant work, Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav praised Dhruv Jurel by posting a heartfelt Instagram story, calling him "a true team man" and appreciating his efforts behind the stumps.

Also Read -Jasprit Bumrah to miss ENG vs IND 5th Test? Speculations sparked right after Manchester Test

Suryakumar Yadav’s Special Message for Dhruv Jurel Goes Viral

After the end of the fourth Test, Team India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav shared a post about Dhruv Jurel on his Instagram Stories. He wrote, “This is not an easy task... You have shown everyone that you can do anything for the team, even if you are not part of the final XI. You never shy away from your responsibilities.”
This post quickly went viral and won the hearts of cricket fans across the country.

Dhruv Jurel Likely to Get a Chance in the Final Test

It is known that Dhruv Jurel handled the wicketkeeping duties in the third Test match held at Lord's in London, after Rishabh Pant injured his finger.

India drew the fourth Test match against England in Manchester. Team India's batsmen fought hard in this match, which they did not want to lose. Especially on the last day, the efforts of all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja (107 not out from 185 balls) and Washington Sundar (101 not out from 206 balls) were impressive. Social media is full of praise for both players.

 

 

 

 

 

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Coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the final Test match due to injury. The BCCI announced that N. Jagadeesan has been selected in his place. With Pant out of the squad, there is a good chance that Dhruv Jurel will be part of the playing XI in the fifth Test match, starting from July 31 at the Oval.

Jurel also played as a substitute wicketkeeper in the Lord's Test, where he took 3 wickets behind the stumps. Earlier, KS Bharat had done the same in the Kanpur Test against New Zealand in 2021. Now, Jurel has gone one step ahead of Bharat.

The 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship had its second draw, as India and England concluded a stalemate in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Sunday, July 27. On Day 4, India was in the driver’s seat as the match was at a stalemate, but their performance with the bat on Day 4 wouldn’t let that happen as KL Rahul and Shubman Gill created a gritty resistance. This laid a wonderful foundation for an extraordinary day of play on Day 5, where India, down a great deal in the match, batted the day out and secured an unlikely draw. 

India would lose a mere two wickets on the final day, as Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja all stood unbeaten with centuries, and secured the match draw. Although England hoped to wrap up the Test in the final session and rest their exhausted bowlers, India refused to declare, allowing their all-rounders to complete their tons. The Test ended on a slightly tense note, with India closing their second innings at 425/4, capping off an unexpected escape from a likely defeat.

See Also: ENG vs IND 4th Test Day 5: Highlights and Scoreboard

Before the fourth Test, India sat fourth in the WTC table with one win and two losses, holding a 33.33% win percentage. England, leading the series 2-1, were third with 61.11% despite losing points earlier due to a slow over rate at Lord's. The draw earned both teams four points each, keeping India at fourth with 16 points and an unchanged win percentage. England now have 26 points, but their win percentage has dropped slightly to 54.17, due to their second draw since 2022.

Updated WTC points table after #ENGvsIND 4th test pic.twitter.com/oAUEpuGq41

— Anu 👰 (@Was_Ananya29_) July 27, 2025

India and England head to the Oval for the ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

Team India’s remarkable resistance on Days 4 and 5 ensured the series remains alive, giving them a chance to level the five-match series 2-2. With momentum on their side, the Men in Blue will look to push for a victory in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, which begins on Thursday, July 31. The draw at Old Trafford has injected new life into the contest, setting up a thrilling finale as India aim to cap off their comeback with a series-leveling performance in the English capital.

However, India’s hopes are tempered by a growing injury and fitness crisis within the squad. Jasprit Bumrah has already completed his scheduled three-Test workload and appeared fatigued during the fourth match. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj and Rishabh Pant struggled with injuries and discomfort throughout the game, casting doubt over their availability for the decider. These setbacks pose significant challenges for the team as they prepare to field a competitive side for the high-stakes clash at The Oval.

Opening up about Ben Stokes' gritty century in the ongoing fourth Test against India, former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin weighed in on the much-discussed Bazball theory. While acknowledging the England skipper's brilliant hundred, Ashwin raised concerns about some of the attacking shots played under the aggressive approach. Stokes notched up his 14th Test century, scoring 141 runs off 198 balls, including 11 boundaries and three sixes.

England have been vocal proponents of playing aggressive cricket in the longest format, something they've leaned into heavily in recent years. However, Ashwin believes such aggression isn't always necessary, especially from players capable of batting long. "I have my reservations about the Bazball theory. There is a small line between aggressive cricket and foolish cricket. Ben Stokes used to take on fast bowlers and hit those shots that were caught at mid-off or mid-on. Why? When a batter can play an innings like that at Headingley in the Ashes, what is the need to do all this?" Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat.

Ashwin further emphasized that aggression doesn't have to come at the cost of technique. "If you want to play aggressive cricket, pull a back-of-length ball, hit a drive on the up, but you can be aggressive like this. This ramp shot, reverse sweeps—there is no need to show aggression like this if you have the pedigree," he added.

‘Still England’s Test to lose,’ says Ashwin

Speaking about the match situation, Ashwin maintained that England are firmly in control despite India’s spirited fightback. India were bowled out for 358 in their first innings, while the hosts posted a mammoth 669 in reply, gaining a massive 311-run lead. England then rocked India early in their second innings, reducing them to 0/2.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan's full match schedule with dates and timings revealed

However, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill mounted a strong comeback with an unbeaten 174-run stand. Rahul was batting on 87 off 210 balls, while Gill was on 78 off 167. Despite this partnership, Ashwin cautioned against complacency. "It is still England's Test to lose. If you think it will be an easy draw, I have my doubts. You have to pull every string to draw this game. It won't be easy," he remarked. He also noted India’s vulnerability to losing quick wickets after partnerships, adding that the onus is on Rahul and Gill to extend their stay if India is to salvage a draw.

Team India kept their hopes alive in the Manchester Test with a resilient 174-run unbroken partnership between KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill. Chasing England’s massive 311-run lead, India stumbled early, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan for golden ducks to Chris Woakes. However, Rahul (87*) and Gill (78*) dug deep, showing grit and composure to prevent any further damage before the close of Day 4. Rahul remained solid across 210 balls, striking eight boundaries, while Gill counterattacked with 10 fours off 167 deliveries in a vital third-wicket stand.

Earlier in the day, England resumed their innings at 544/7 and extended their total to a daunting 669. Skipper Ben Stokes, who started the day unbeaten on 77, completed his century and went on to score a magnificent 141 from 198 balls. His knock included 17 boundaries and helped anchor England’s dominance. Lower-order batter Brydon Carse also contributed with a quickfire 47 off 54 balls, further frustrating the Indian bowlers in the morning session.

See Also: Rishabh Pant fit to play on Day 5 of Manchester Test

Among India’s bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja was the standout performer with four wickets, showing control on an otherwise flat surface. Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar supported well with two scalps each, but the overall bowling effort lacked bite. With England setting a mammoth challenge, India’s hopes now hinge on the partnership between Gill and Rahul. A strong showing on Day 5 will be crucial if India are to avoid defeat and keep the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series alive heading into the final Test.

Weather forecast for Day 5 of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

The weather has remained mostly favorable during the Manchester Test so far, despite earlier forecasts suggesting otherwise. According to AccuWeather, Day 5 is expected to start with cloudy skies and a temperature of around 19°C. The chance of precipitation stands at 25 percent, while cloud cover is likely to hover around 99 percent, accompanied by a humidity level of 70 percent. These conditions may assist swing bowlers in the early session, though rain interruptions are unlikely in the morning, allowing for a potentially uninterrupted passage of play as the match heads towards its conclusion.

In the afternoon session of Day 5, the cloud cover is expected to remain high at 86 percent, with the temperature steady at 19°C. Humidity levels will slightly drop to 54 percent, but the chance of rain remains the same at 25 percent, keeping conditions overcast. Moving into the evening, AccuWeather predicts partly cloudy skies with the temperature dipping to 13°C. The likelihood of rain reduces to just 17 percent, with cloud cover easing to 61 percent and humidity rising to 76 percent. Overall, Day 5 should offer plenty of playtime unless sudden weather shifts occur.

After an action-packed first session of Day 4, a wicketless 2nd and 3rd session mostly due to brilliant batting by KL Rahul and India captain Shubman Gill. After losing two wickets in two consecutive deliveries of England pacer Chris Woakes, Rahul and Gill stood strong on the wicket of Old Trafford, Manchester.

It is a must-win match for the visiting side after losing the 3rd Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, which allowed the home side to gain a 2-1 lead. In reply to India's 358, England posted 669 in the first innings and secured a healthy lead. Batting maestro Joe Root and skipper Joe Root got hundred-plus innings for England in the first innings.

If India, at least, wants to secure a draw, then they have to secure their wickets first. After the stumps of Day 4, Rahul and Gill remained strong in the middle. The touring team needs to score more than 137 to level England's first innings total.

Read More: Captains with century and 5-wicket haul in same Test match ft Ben Stokes

After the end of Day 4, England is still in the driving seat. They will look to take the remaining 8 wickets of their opponent to intensify the match more. KL Rahul remained unbeaten for 87 off 219, and Gill snatched 78* off 187 and will start Day 5 with the opener. 

Stumps on Day 4 in Manchester! 🏟️

A splendid partnership between Captain Shubman Gill (78*) & KL Rahul (87*) takes #TeamIndia to 174/2 👏👏

A gripping final day of Test cricket awaits ⏳

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/L1EVgGu4SI#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/1EMrsu90I3

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 26, 2025

ENG vs IND 4th Test Day 4 Scoreboard in brief 

England: 669 (First Innings) 

India: 174/2 (Second Innings)

India trail by 137 runs