Day 4 of the second Test between India and England was all about one man – Shubman Gill. After losing the first Test match, India bounced back strongly, with their young captain delivering a record-breaking performance that has put India on the verge of a stunning comeback.
Gill played a brilliant knock of 161 runs off 162 balls, smashing 13 fours and 8 sixes. His fearless and fluent innings came at a time when India needed to dominate and set a huge target for England. With this, Gill’s total in this match stands at 430 runs, making it one of the greatest individual performances by an Indian in a single Test match. He is now among the few cricketers in history to cross 400 runs in a Test, and the first Indian captain to achieve this feat.
India, riding on Gill’s century, Rishabh Pant’s quickfire 65 off 58 balls, and a steady 69 from Ravindra Jadeja*, declared their second innings at 427/6 in just 83 overs, scoring at a run rate of 5.14. Washington Sundar also chipped in with a handy 12* off 7 balls to ensure the momentum never dropped. Shoaib Bashir was the most successful bowler for England, picking 2 wickets, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain the flow of runs.
With a first-innings score of 587, India’s overall lead swelled to 607 runs, setting England a massive target of 608 to win the match. Chasing such a total is unprecedented in Test cricket, and the task became tougher when India’s bowlers struck early in the final session of Day 4.
England, under pressure, ended the day at 72/3. Mohammed Siraj removed Zak Crawley for a duck, while debutant Akash Deep impressed with two key wickets—Ben Duckett (25) and Joe Root (6). At stumps, Ollie Pope (24*) and Harry Brook (15*) were at the crease, but England still need 464 runs with only seven wickets remaining.
The pitch is beginning to show signs of wear, and India’s bowlers will look to exploit the conditions on Day 5. With reverse swing and spin expected to play a major role, England’s chances appear slim.
This Test match has been a true showcase of India’s resilience after a tough start to the series. Shubman Gill’s remarkable performance has not only silenced critics but has also highlighted his potential as a long-term leader for India. Scoring 430 runs in a single match is no small feat and will be remembered for years.
As we head into the final day, the equation is simple: England need to survive three sessions or attempt a miracle chase, while India need 7 wickets to level the series.
Day 5 promises high drama. Will England hold on, or will India complete the turnaround?