Manchester, July 28 (H.S.): The final day of the Manchester Test was significant for India as Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja formed a strong partnership of 203 runs, batting for 55.2 overs and avoiding defeat. With Jadeja on 89 and Sundar on 80, England’s Ben Stokes offered a draw, which India declined. Both players went on to complete their centuries—Jadeja’s fifth and Sundar’s first.

Stokes praised their performance, noting that their ability to pull India from a tough situation was remarkable, regardless of the centuries. He explained the strategic decision to bowl Joe Root and Harry Brook to save their key bowlers for the Oval Test after an exhausting 257 overs in the field, as a draw was the only likely outcome. Indian responses were emotional; Gautam Gambhir highlighted the effort of players nearing centuries, questioning if English batsmen would receive the same treatment.

Captain Shubman Gill regarded the draw as a learning opportunity, emphasizing the pressure faced and the team’s strategy to take each ball at a time. The series stands at 2-1, with India eyeing a chance to level it at 2-2 in the final Test.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar