Stokes Dominates as England Seize Control
As England headed off for lunch on the fourth day at Old Trafford, it was understandable if they felt their opponents were on the ropes. India had suffered a punishing morning, marked by the extraordinary performance of Ben Stokes with the bat.
Stokes and Woakes Shine
It wasn’t only Stokes making headlines. After scoring his first Test century in two years with a commendable 141 from 198 balls, England reached a formidable total of 669 all out. The tourists faced a daunting task, needing to spend a nerve-wracking 15 minutes before lunch, which was further complicated by Chris Woakes taking two wickets in two balls before India could begin to address their mammoth 311-run deficit.
India Fights Back
However, by the end of the day, the match had shifted dramatically due to resilient innings from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. They managed to withstand 63 overs without losing any further wickets, ending the day at 174 for two. Despite still trailing by 137 runs, the forecast of rain on Sunday has made a draw seem increasingly plausible.
Impressive Batting Shows Tenacity
The two set batters deserve commendation, especially after having spent 157 overs in the field. Though the pitch had its challenges, their concentration never faltered. Gill’s fluid stroke play and Rahul’s technical prowess were on full display as they scored 78 and 87 not out, respectively, sending a strong message to their lower-order teammates.
England’s Bowling Concerns
Still, the day highlighted some weaknesses in England’s bowling line-up, particularly with Stokes on the sidelines. Initially pressured by cramps, his condition seemed to suggest something more serious as he was seen gripping his upper leg multiple times. After his impressive five-wicket haul in the first innings, he could do little but strategize from the sidelines this time.
Woakes Takes Center Stage
Woakes stood out with his new-ball spell, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in quick succession, showcasing his skill. Although he put pressure on Gill with a hat-trick opportunity, the Indian batsman survived. Liam Dawson attempted to capitalize on the situation but failed to make significant breakthroughs despite a brief chance.
Final Thoughts on the Match
Stokes left his mark by not only scoring 125 runs but also contributing significantly to England’s total, which was the first instance of India conceding over 600 runs in a Test since 2014. With Stokes achieving both a century and a five-wicket haul in the same match, England’s bowling will need to adapt quickly to avoid letting India escape with a chance to level the series.
