India Vs England Manchester Test: Shubman Gill Slams A Ton, KL Rahul Misses Century

On the tense final day of the fourth Test between India and England at Manchester, the spotlight fell on two Indian batters—KL Rahul, who fell heartbreakingly short of a century, and Shubman Gill, who notched up a resilient hundred to keep India in the contest.

India, trailing in the series and under pressure to draw the match to stay alive, began Day 5 with hopes pinned on the Rahul-Gill partnership. But the early breakthrough came for England as Ben Stokes removed KL Rahul, who was poised for a memorable hundred. The ball stayed low, sneaking under Rahul’s bat and crashing into his pads. Out for 91, Rahul’s patient and composed innings came to an end, leaving India in a precarious position.

Shubman Gill Holds Firm

Despite the setback, captain Shubman Gill continued to fight, reaching his fourth century of the series. He now holds the record for the most hundreds by a visiting captain in a bilateral Test series against England, surpassing legendary names like Don Bradman, Garry Sobers, and Alan Melville.

Gill brought up his hundred with a confident stroke through square-leg off Jofra Archer, helping India reach the 200-run mark. His celebration—a quiet raise of the bat followed by a kiss—reflected the pressure he’d carried on his shoulders all series.

Test Match on the Edge

With Rahul dismissed, Washington Sundar joined Gill at the crease. England, having taken the second new ball, looked to capitalize. Chris Woakes bowled a probing spell and drew a thick edge that fortunately fell short of the slips. Meanwhile, Archer tested Gill with short-pitched deliveries, one of which hit his glove and ricocheted onto his helmet. The physio rushed in, but Gill, though shaken, continued batting.

Spinner Liam Dawson kept things tight at one end, conceding just a run in his first over. England’s pacers, recharged with the new ball, maintained pressure with aggressive lines and lengths.

Key Stats and Missed Chances

Rahul and Gill’s partnership, though cut short, lasted 417 balls—the longest by an Indian duo in England this century. It eclipsed the 170-run stand between Dravid and Bangar at Headingley in 2002.

England squandered their final DRS review in a failed leg-before appeal against Rahul earlier in the day. And later, a dropped catch by Ollie Pope gave Gill a crucial reprieve on his way to three figures.

Gill’s 100 took his series tally beyond 700 runs, making him the first Indian captain to achieve that in a bilateral Test series abroad—an extraordinary feat considering the conditions and match situations he has faced.

Reactions and Hopes

On commentary, Dinesh Karthik praised the resilience shown by the Indian top order: “Gill and Rahul have shown what fight looks like. It’s a message beyond this match—this is the kind of leadership and patience Indian cricket needs.”

Coach Sitanshu Kotak noted that while Indian batters struggled earlier in the series to convert starts, both Gill and Rahul proved their mettle in tough conditions.