Rahul, Gill lead brilliant fightback

The pair have raised an 174-run stand as they fight to save the 4th Test after the Stokes-led hosts took command on Day 4

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

There are going to be tough days in Test cricket when nothing is going right for you, and the opposition is completely ontop. After three closely fought games, India had such a poor outing in their first innings of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. By the end of Day 3 with England 186 runs ahead with three wickets in hand in their first innings, they were already too far behind inthe game.

The mettle of a good team is seen in how they respond in such situations — throw in the towel or make a statement by fighting till the last ball is bowled.

There were alarm bells when India again turned out flat in the field to play a poor opening session on Saturday. Captain Ben ‘Stokes moved fluently to his 14th Test hundred and then added quick runs to ensure a monumental 31l-run lead for his team with one-and-a-half days to go.

Being kept on the field for 157 overs, it can take a toll mentally and physically. India’s worst fears came true in the 15 minutes they had to negotiate before lunch on Day 4.