Rahul and Gill frustrate England after Stokes' ton as India face herculean task to save fourth Test

India captain Shubman Gill starred in a remarkable rearguard action as his side checked England's bid for a series-clinching win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday following a long-awaited century from opposing skipper Ben Stokes.

- 

Gill came in with India in dire straits at 0-2 after Chris Woakes struck with successive deliveries in the first over of India's second innings to have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan both caught in the slips for ducks.

That left India more than 300 runs behind England's mammoth first-innings 669 all out, featuring Stokes' superb 141.

But an engrossing series of several twists and turns produced another as India reached stumps on the fourth day without further loss at 174-2, with opener KL Rahul 87 not out and Gill 78 not out.

India still face a deficit of 137 runs but have renewed hope of leaving Manchester with what would be a remarkable draw after England, already 2-1 up in this five-match series, compiled their fifth-highest Test total of all time.