England vs India 4th Test 2025: All the Drama, Day-by-Day Highlights and Match Details
England vs India 4th Test 2025: All the Drama, Day-by-Day Highlights and Match Details
Entering the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester, England were leading the five-match series 2-1. India were under pressure, needing nothing less than a win or a draw to stay alive after a narrow defeat at Lord’s in the third Test. Injuries had hit both teams, and selection drama, player form, and the tension of the series made this match a must-watch event.
The Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Old Trafford has a reputation for seam-friendly conditions early on but can help spinners as the match progresses. The pitch was firm with a few visible cracks, and overcast skies hung over Manchester for much of the Test, raising prospects of swing and possible rain interruptions.
Toss, Teams & Changes
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first, leveraging the cloudy weather for early movement. Squads saw forced and tactical changes:
India’s Playing XI
Player | Role/Notes |
|---|---|
Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
KL Rahul | Batter |
Sai Sudharsan | Batter (returned) |
Shubman Gill (c) | Captain, Batter |
Rishabh Pant (wk) | Batter only (injured) |
Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
Shardul Thakur | All-rounder (recalled) |
Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
Anshul Kamboj | Bowler (debutant) |
Notable injuries: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh were unavailable.
England’s Playing XI
Player | Role/Notes |
|---|---|
Zak Crawley | Batter |
Ben Duckett | Batter |
Ollie Pope | Batter |
Joe Root | Batter |
Harry Brook | Batter |
Ben Stokes (c) | Captain, All-rounder |
Jamie Smith (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
Liam Dawson | All-rounder (returned) |
Chris Woakes | All-rounder/Bowler |
Brydon Carse | Bowler |
Jofra Archer | Bowler |
Day-by-Day Action
Day 1: Tough Start, Early Wickets
India, put in on a seam-friendly track, faced a fiery opening spell by Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes. Early wickets fell, but Sai Sudharsan (61) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) provided vital resistance. Ben Stokes was the star for England with a five-wicket haul, helping bowl India out for 358. Rishabh Pant, still troubled by injury, bravely posted 54.
Day 2: England Seizes the Advantage
England replied with a batting masterclass. Openers gave a solid start, and then Joe Root (150) and Ben Stokes (141) took over, batting India out of the game. England piled on 669 all out across 157 overs. Duckett (94), Crawley (84), and Pope (71) all contributed. Ravindra Jadeja was the most effective Indian bowler with four wickets, but the visitors looked spent after a long fielding grind.
Day 3: India in Deep Trouble
Coming in with a massive deficit, Indian openers faltered, and wickets tumbled quickly. By lunch on Day 4, India were 1/2, trailing by over 300 runs. The match seemed to be slipping away fast as England’s bowlers kept up the pressure.
Day 4: India Fight Back—Gritty Partnerships
India’s fightback began thanks to a brilliant third-wicket partnership between Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Both batsmen soaked up pressure for two full sessions. Rahul faced 210 balls for his 90, while Gill fought hard for a crucial 103—his fourth century of a stellar series. At stumps, India were back in the game, trailing by 137 but still far from safety.
Day 5: Heroics Ensure a Famous Escape
The final day belonged to India’s middle and lower-middle order. Ravindra Jadeja (107*) and Washington Sundar (101*) played out England’s attack with poise. Their unbroken 153-run partnership not only erased the deficit but also ensured India’s safety. England tried everything, even offering a draw at the final drinks break (with India four wickets down and leading by just 71), but India’s batters wanted to stay for their milestones. In the end, both teams shook hands once Sundar—brought up the order because Pant was injured—completed his maiden Test century.
Notable Moments
Debut Watch: Young pacer Anshul Kamboj made his Test debut for India.
Injuries: Rishabh Pant was not fully fit, only batting and not keeping wickets. England’s off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was ruled out of the series with a fractured finger.
Sporting Spirit & Drama: Ben Stokes offered the draw before Jadeja and Sundar reached their hundreds, showing respect—and perhaps a little frustration. India respectfully declined, highlighting their grit and desire for individual and team achievements.
Crowd and Atmosphere: Rain threatened at times, and Old Trafford’s passionate fans saw classic Test match survival cricket.
Match Summary
Innings | England | India |
|---|---|---|
1st Innings | 669 all out | 358 all out |
Top Scorers | Root 150, Stokes 141, Duckett 94 | Sudharsan 61, Jaiswal 58, Pant 54 |
Best Bowlers | Jadeja 4-143 | Stokes 5-72, Archer 3-73 |
2nd Innings | - | 425/4 (declared) |
Top Scorers | - | Jadeja 107*, Gill 103, Sundar 101* |
Result | Draw | Draw |
India’s determined batting effort on the final two days, especially from Gill, Jadeja, Rahul, and Washington Sundar, saved the match and kept the series alive with England leading 2-1. The Test will be remembered for its resilience, sporting spirit, and the milestone centuries under pressure. All eyes now turn to The Kia Oval for the fifth and final Test.