Cricket | England and India draw 4th test

India 358 & 425-4 | England 669 

India produced a remarkable display of defiance to earn a draw against England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford

Author | Liam C

Stadium | Old Trafford Cricket Ground

After more than five sessions of resolute batting, the tourists closed on 425 for 4 in their second innings. With a lead of 114 and just 10 overs left in the match, both sides agreed to shake hands, concluding a gripping five days of play.

England threw everything into the final day but were ultimately undone by India's composure, a docile pitch offering only occasional assistance, and a costly dropped catch by Joe Root.

Ben Stokes, once again, carried the weight of England’s hopes. Despite not bowling the previous day, the captain pushed through physical discomfort to deliver two demanding spells. He struck early, trapping KL Rahul lbw for 90.

READ MORE | Third Test England seal 22-run win over India

Jofra Archer gave England another breakthrough when he had Shubman Gill caught behind for 103, ending a century of characteristic fluency. At that stage, India were still 89 runs behind with more than two sessions to survive.

The defining moment followed soon after. Root shelled a regulation chance at slip offered by Ravindra Jadeja from the first ball he faced. From there, England never came close again. Jadeja and Washington Sundar both reached centuries and compiled an unbroken stand of 203, draining the energy from the hosts and closing out the game.

It marked only England’s second draw in 40 Tests since Stokes took over the captaincy in 2022, both of which have come at Old Trafford. The previous was the rain-affected Ashes encounter against Australia last summer. Coincidentally, all four of Lancashire’s County Championship matches at this venue in 2025 have also ended without a result.

England and India are playing out a classic series

The tense, fluctuating and unpredictable nature of this series has had echoes of the epic 2005 Ashes. How apt that this ground has produced the same result - an unlikely draw – 20 years on.

On that occasion, Australia held on nine wickets down on a famous day when thousands of spectators were locked out of Old Trafford. This was not as raucous or dramatic as two decades ago, but India's escape is no less remarkable.

Before lunch on Saturday they were 0-2, 311 behind and all but beaten. That they go to The Oval with a chance of squaring the series says so much about their spirit, especially captain Gill, who is having a magnificent summer.

England still on course for a memorable series win

England hoped that this would be the day they clinched the series and completed the first part of what they aspire to be a glorious double this year. Instead, they still have work to do. It is fitting that this thrilling contest receives a live finale.

A quick preview of the 5th test

England will now take a 2–1 lead into the final Test at The Oval. Concerns remain over Stokes, who appeared to struggle with shoulder and upper leg issues throughout the day.

India, meanwhile, will be forced to replace Rishabh Pant, who suffered a fractured foot. They must also decide whether Jasprit Bumrah will feature, having already played the three Tests he was expected to before the series began.