The 4th Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England at Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23–27, 2025, delivered a showcase of true Test cricket resilience. Facing a daunting challenge after conceding a massive first-innings lead, India engineered one of their most defiant fightbacks in recent memory, denying England a series-clinching win and taking the contest into a decider.
Match Dates and Timings
- Dates: July 23–27, 2025
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Start Time: 3:30PM IST (11:00AM Local Time) each day
The Match Story: India’s Fightback
After England posted a mammoth 669 in their first innings, India faltered initially, managing only 358. Asked to follow on—or face virtual elimination from the series after losing the first two wickets without scoring—India embarked on a remarkable resurrection in their second attempt at the crease.
Standout Moments
Second Innings Collapse and Fightback: India were reeling at 0/2 early, but Shubman Gill and KL Rahul steadied the ship with a gritty 188-run partnership.
Gill’s Grit, Jadeja’s Defiance: Gill hit his fourth century of the series, anchoring the innings amid pressure. After losing Rahul for 90, India looked again at risk, but the resilient pair of Ravindra Jadeja (unbeaten 101) and Washington Sundar (unbeaten 107) came to the fore.
Batting Out Five Sessions: India lost only two wickets across five sessions, closing the match on 425/4 and ensuring a sensational draw, rather than defeat. England’s aggressive fields, reverse swing antics, and Ben Stokes' marathon spell made for a taut final day.
Jadeja’s Decision: Notably, despite an English draw offer in the final hour, Jadeja insisted India bat on, prolonging the psychological duel and underscoring India’s competitive spirit.
Key Partnerships & Records
Shubman Gill and KL Rahul: 188-run stand for the third wicket helped break England’s momentum.
Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar: Their unbeaten 203-run partnership allowed India to erase England’s lead and eventually take a slim advantage, deflating the hosts’ attack.
Series Context
Series Status: England lead 2-1 after this drawn Test, with the fifth and final match looming as a decider at The Oval, starting July 31, 2025.
Heroics Under Pressure: India’s ability to salvage a draw from near-certain defeat, especially following heavy ground lost on Day 2, highlights their evolving temperament under captain Shubman Gill’s leadership.
India’s Fightback Against England in 4th Test Match
With spirits unbroken and their resolve on clear display, India’s fightback against England in the 4th Test Match at Old Trafford stands as a testimony to Test cricket’s enduring appeal. The match—played between July 23 and July 27, 2025—will be remembered for the timing, the partnership resilience, and the daring refusal to concede ground, setting up a blockbuster finale in the England-India series.