Shubman Gill wasn't in a mood to settle early on the fourth day of the test. India pulled off a dramatic draw in the fourth test against England at Old Trafford the Indian captain made it clear that it wouldn't just be a salvage match but a statement.
India looked buried under a score of 0 - 2 in the innings when they're trailing by 311 runs. But a comeback that no one saw coming, a complete display of discipline and defence. The team battled through five sessions on the final two days ending at a score of 425 - 4 and bragging the match away from England's grip. The complete defence of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul on the third day of the match defending hundred overs, and laying down a strong opening for India team, later Jadeja and Sundar take it forward, and led to dramatic draw - Getting booed from the crowd, when England Captain forward his hand to declare early, even try to sledge Jadeja due to his refusal. A refusal due to his personal century that’s what England thought but even after he completed his century - no declaration, waited for his fellow team mate to complete his first milestone hundred against mighty England in this crucial situation.
“It was tough, we were under pressure for a few days but the way the team responded… I'm proud” Gill said. “The pitch was still doing things on day 5 but we wanted to bat as long as we could. That's what we discussed and that's what we did”, he added. Gill signaled out Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar who remained unbeaten till the end as key figures in the fight back of 4th test. Both were in the 90s when the England captain Ben Stokes, made an unexpected move mid session for a draw and Gill turned it out. When Gill was asked why? He smiled, “They were close to make their centuries” he said, adding that “the team felt it was important the duo could get there, that's why they didn't shake hands.
Jadeja and Sunda, refusal to shake the hand became a symbol of India's refusal to fold. This match wasn't one of rescue acts either. All four test matches in the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy have gone through the last final day of the test and Gill believes the team has grown up from it. He said, “there has been so much to learn in the series every match has pushed us and tested us” .
The 4th match has been a milestone for Gill personally too, his second inning's 100 at Manchester and fourth of tour took him to tail past the 700 runs putting him in a light company and drawing comparison between Don Bradman’s overseas consistency. India had posted 358 in the first inning before being flattered by England's massive 669. But the story of the test wasn't collapsed; it was the comeback that India made with their complete defence and complete discipline.
