Grit & spice: Draw that feels like victory

Skipper Gill, Jadeja and Sundar hit fighting tons after Rahul misses out, keep the series alive

- Sanjeev K Samyal

It is for a reason that countries go out of their way to host the India Test team. They are box office. The defiance of Sydney 2021, the daring of Brisbane 2021 had viewership shoot through the roof. The modern India players have excellent skills to shine in all conditions, but it is their never-say-die spirit which makes them the team to watch in world cricket.

Manchester's Old Trafford became the scene of their latest heroic act with backs to the wall against a dominant England. Giving another example of their combativeness, Shubman Gill's team served a Super Sunday treat of grit for the cricket fans on the final day of the fourth Test.

In a gripping finish to a thrilling series where all four Tests have gone to the wire, inspired by their captain's epic century, the left-handed pair of Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja played out of their skins to secure a memorable draw with an unfinished fifth-wicket stand of 203 runs, both signing off with centuries.

It keeps the Anderson-Ten-dulkar series alive going into the fifth Test at The Oval with England leading 2-1. This result will be all the more satisfying for India because, as against Australia in 2021, they were hit by a series of injuries. They came back to draw after conceding a lead of 311 runs by scoring 425/4.

KL Rahul laid the platform with a defiant 90, but fell early on Day 5. The rest of the batters, however, refused to throw in the towel under extreme pressure and on a pitch showing some signs of variable bounce.

Gill held fort before falling at the stroke of lunch for a superb 103, and Jadeja joined forces with Sundar to take the fight to the opposition. The duo ensured there was no further damage till the end, especially with Rishabh Pant injured. They trusted their defence, showed composure and showed the stomach for a fight.