ENG vs IND

2-1 it is then and there is a mouth-watering final test match in this series coming up after a gap of just three days. The teams will now travel back to London for the fifth test at The Oval where you could potentially see a few changes in both the lineups. 

England have fielded for more than 257 overs in this match and with such a short turnaround they would want to bring some fresh legs in. India, though, would be going in feeling like they have achieved more than just a draw, this could potentially stir the side to greater things. They will be without Pant who gave us one of the moments in the match when he came out to bat with a broken foot, showing the grit and determination which is unmatched. 

Will Jasprit Bumrah play the final test match? Will Kuldeep Yadav find a place? Will Jofra Archer have enough in him to go back to back? Will Gus Atkinson be fit enough to play? Lots of questions but more importantly there will be all to play for in three days time.

We've had yet another enthralling test match which went all the way going back and forth throughout as it has been the case in this series, made us fall in love with the format just that little bit more. We'll be back with the final chapter on Thursday (July 31). Till then, we too deserve our fair share of rest as well after a busy 5 days. But the action won't stop at Sportskeeda with stuff coming from other parts of the world. For now, this is Sourabh Agrawal signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Pradeep and the entire team. Cheers!

Ben Stokes is the Player of the Match for his six wickets in the game and 141! Here's what he has to say: "I think when you have a good game as an all-rounder, you assess how the game has gone. I would've been happy had the result gone to the right side of us. Been five to six weeks, I always try and give everything possibly I can. I try to lead by example. Bowling bit on the field, it's tough. Just workloads things, threw myself a few overs, everything just starts to creeping up on you. I keep trying, just play by the emotions. As the game progressed, it became easier to batter. There was invariable bounce, not much inconsistently to the left-hander. Credit to Jadeja and Sundar, it was a partnership that did hurt us. Thought Zak and Duckett's partnership was crucial, laid the foundation and the rate at which they scored, that helped us. The two wickets in the first over yesterday, we thought we were in. It's been a back and forth series so far, India have throwing punches, we were throwing punches back. It's one of those, you feel in moments where, this is where the games will break open. KL's wicket did feel something like that, but India are quality side, the batters who came after didn't give up. Made us think, we threw everything at them and they lived up to the pressure. All the hard work was done by India, both played incredibly well, there was only one result possible. Didn't wanted my boys to get hurt, they've bowled so many overs, didn't wanted to risk my front line bowlers in the last hour of the game. Even before this test match, we discussed about how much energy has gone into this. We have got a battery of fast bowlers we can call in, we have a few days to think and see what we can do."

Shubman Gill [India captain]: "Extremely pleased with our batting effort. We were put under a lot of a pressure in the last two days. After losing two quick wickets, we came back and proud of the batting. It's all about taking the wicket out of the equation. The ball was doing a bit, every ball was an event, we wanted to take as deep as possible. Definitely up to the boys in the middle, both deserved the centuries and they got it. Lot of things, every match going up until the last day of the last session, each match teaches you something different. So far, as a group, we have learnt a lot. Hopefully we can win next the next game and draw the series. Doesn't matter how many runs you have scored in the past, every time you walk in with the whites for your country, I just want to play my best. I want to enjoy my batting as much as I can. In the first innings, we didn't post the total we wanted with the batters set. We learnt that, once you are set, go big and take the game away from the opposition. I think we're going to wait for the Oval Test to know about Bumrah."

MATCH DRAWN

India - 358 & 425/4, England - 669

Ben Stokes - 141 (198), 5/72 & 1/33
Ravindra Jadeja - 20 (40) & 107*(185) & 4/143

0/2 at Lunch on Day 4 with a trail of more than 300 runs, no one gave this Indian team a chance of salvaging anything out of this match. People were making plans for an early finish but the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy is well and truly alive; not only alive but kicking with the scoreline at 2-1.

That Indian unit would be a bunch of proud individuals who have fought beautifully, displayed bravado but more importantly made sure that they go to The Oval with a chance to still share the honors in this series, something that did not seem possible 143 overs ago.

There was a bit of heat during the final few moments but it led to two spectacular hundreds from two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who have parked all doubts aside. Questions were asked about the team combination, the batting depth was questioned but the same thing has come to the fore and bailed India out of a precarious situation.

There was a lion-hearted effort from Ben Stokes who put all on the line once again, pushed his limits with a body which was breaking down and he too would be a proud individual today. He claimed a test fifer after 8 long years and then scored a ton as well, one after two years and truly led from the front. However, he might be wondering how this game slipped away into a situation where it was drawn. Joe Root went past several stalwarts in his innings where he chalked up his 38th test ton, a massive 150 in England's first innings which helped them get up to a massive 669, the highest-ever at Old Trafford but it wasn't enough to eek out a win.

A special test match for India's skipper Shubman Gill as well who notched up a fourth ton in the series and also crossed the massive 700-run mark in the series. He walked in at 0/2 yesterday afternoon and then displayed huge amounts of composure, discipline as well as tenacity to bat through the day with KL Rahul who was once again as solid as ever at the top.

KL fell short of a ton by 10 runs as he was undone by Stokes with a dodgy shoulder but his captain did not. He fell after his ton just before lunch today and England were fancying themselves to blow India away. But then, a defiant unbeaten 203 run partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar denied them as they forged a marathon partnership which went on for 332 balls, not to forget the previous marathon partnership of 417 balls between Gill and KL Rahul.

This is only the second test which has been drawn in the Bazball era and the previous one was also at the same venue against Australia in 2023. Questions might be asked of the pitch as it did not do enough even on the final day but that is for another day, it is to take away nothing from a stunning performance from the Indian batters who have managed a great escape.

5:39 PM Local Time, 10:09 PM IST : There you go, the players shake hands and this test match has officially ended in a draw. Both the batters should be supremely proud of what they have achieved here, they walk off with their heads held high and bats tucked under their arms. England players still have a bit to say but they eventually shake hands with the umpires and then the Indian team which has come down the stairs. 

142.6 Harry Brook to Washington Sundar, AND NOW A MAIDEN TEST HUNDRED FOR SUNDAR! This has been a stunning come back from India, thanks to their batting. Length delivery on the off-stump, Sundar whips it to square-leg and took off. Sundar completes his hundred. And, they now shake the hands and India salvage a draw!

142.4 Harry Brook to Washington Sundar, FOUR! Moves on to 99 with the boundary. Length delivery outside the off-stump, Sundar reaching and lofts it over extra-cover, races away to the ropes.

Washi retains the strike, he is one hit away from getting his maiden test century. I'm already thinking about the post-match conference tonight. Expecting a bit of fire but first things first, here is Brook again with his loopy off-breaks.

141.6 Joe Root to Washington Sundar, good length on off-stump, Sundar comes forward, clipped it to square-leg for a single and keeps the strike.