In a gripping finale at Old Trafford, India's Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar produced a masterclass in resilience, both scoring unbeaten centuries to secure a dramatic draw against England in the fourth Test.
The duo batted through the entire final day, frustrating England's bowlers with a defiant 201-run partnership. Jadeja, playing with trademark flair, finished on 112*, while Sundar showcased impeccable technique to remain unbeaten on 103*.
England's Missed Opportunities
England had looked poised for victory after reducing India to 205/6 late on day four. James Anderson and Ollie Robinson had caused havoc with the new ball, but the hosts couldn't break through on the final day despite trying every bowling option.
Turning Points
- Jadeja surviving a close LBW review on 67
- Sundar's crucial drop by Jos Buttler at 89
- The pair's brilliant running between wickets
The result leaves the five-match series intriguingly poised at 1-1 heading into next week's decider at The Oval. Both teams will take positives - England from their dominant first innings performance, India from their remarkable fightback.
What This Means for the Series
With momentum now swinging back towards India, the final Test promises to be a classic. England's bowling attack will need to regroup after this disappointment, while India may consider bringing back Jasprit Bumrah to strengthen their pace attack.
The performances of Jadeja and Sundar have also thrown up interesting selection dilemmas for the visitors, with both all-rounders making compelling cases for permanent spots in the Test side.
