The opening session of Day 5 between England and India delivered a captivating spectacle of Test cricket, marked by crucial wickets, heroic batting, and relentless pressure from both sides.
Morning Battle Begins
As the final day dawned at Old Trafford, Indian openers KL Rahul and Shubman Gill were seen stretching, preparing for what they knew would be a long and challenging day. An Indian fan’s shout from the empty stands, “Poore din khelna hai” (Have to play the whole day), perfectly encapsulated the immense task ahead: saving the Test and the series for India.
Adding to the tension, England captain Ben Stokes, despite previous rumors of a hamstring injury, surprisingly took the ball early. He delivered a menacing spell, aiming for the stumps and letting the pitch’s wear-and-tear create unpredictable bounce. His intent was clear: this would be a demanding morning for the Indian batsmen.
Early Setback: Rahul’s Dismissal
The pressure mounted swiftly. Rahul faced Liam Dawson, who was getting considerable drift and turn. England had an early DRS shout for caught behind against Rahul, which was turned down, exhausting their reviews. However, the relentless Stokes continued his assault from the other end.
Despite appearing to favor a shoulder between overs, Stokes delivered a low nip-backer that beat Rahul’s defense. Rahul, who had built a crucial partnership with Gill for almost 70 overs, began walking even before the umpire raised his finger. The vital partnership was broken in the first half-hour, leaving India at 188/3.
Gill’s Gritty Fightback
The duel between Stokes and Gill intensified. The pitch’s rough patches outside the right-hander’s off-stump became increasingly perilous. Stokes delivered a delivery that climbed unexpectedly, hitting Gill’s fingers and ricocheting towards his head. The powerful impact forced Gill to momentarily lose balance and required immediate medical attention and a bandage.
Despite the pain and India’s growing injury concerns, Gill displayed immense resilience. He continued to face unplayable deliveries, some keeping perilously low. Stokes, visibly battling his own aches and pains, continued to bowl with fierce determination, sensing an opportunity for a quick finish to the match.
A Century Amidst the Chaos
As the new ball approached, Gill and Washington Sundar devised a plan, with Sundar, a left-hander, taking on Stokes from the end where the bounce was more predictable. This strategic move brought a degree of stability, though a brief mix-up nearly led to a run-out, highlighting the underlying tension.
When Chris Woakes took the new ball, Gill, for the second time in the innings, faced the first over. He soon dispatched a long hop from Jofra Archer for four, moving into the nineties. The Old Trafford crowd erupted as Gill gracefully raised his bat, celebrating a hard-fought century – a moment of individual brilliance in a high-stakes encounter.
The New Ball Breaks Through
With Gill now well-set, Archer found his rhythm, consistently testing the Indian captain with inswingers. Gill showcased smart defensive play, tracing the ball’s trajectory and presenting a dead bat. Sundar, too, grew in confidence, rotating the strike effectively and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
However, just when it seemed India was finding its footing, fate intervened. Gill, expecting another inswinger from Archer, was caught off guard by a delivery that went perfectly straight. He edged it, and was caught behind. The dismissal was a significant blow to India’s hopes, leaving them at 223/4 at lunch, still trailing by 68 runs.
- Ben Stokes defied injury rumors to bowl a powerful spell early on Day 5.
- KL Rahul was dismissed early, ending a crucial partnership with Shubman Gill.
- Shubman Gill endured a painful injury but battled through to score a valiant century.
- Jofra Archer’s new ball spell proved decisive, claiming Gill’s wicket just before lunch.
The session encapsulated the unpredictable nature of Test cricket, setting the stage for a dramatic and decisive afternoon session.
