NEW DELHI: India on Monday lauded their cricketers for pulling off a “draw that feels like a win” in the fourth Test against England to keep the series alive.

India, 2-1 down in the five-match series and a daunting 311 runs behind on first innings, batted out Sunday’s final day to take it to a decider at the Oval, starting Thursday.

Captain Shubman Gill struck his fourth century of the series before unbeaten hundreds from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar denied England victory. KL Rahul also scored 90.

It was a remarkable fightback after India had lost their first two second-innings wickets without a run on the board on Saturday.

“When it comes to India-England, Old Trafford is known for keeping the series alive,” India great Sachin Tendulkar posted on X.

It was a “fantastic comeback” said Tendulkar who added that Rahul, Gill, Jadeja and Sundar had shown “great character and fighting spirit”.

The Times of India headlined with “The draw that feels like a win”, while espncricinfo.com said it had been a “great escape”.

Gill had come into his first series as captain with question marks over his overseas batting record.

But he has laid all doubts to rest with a record-breaking run, joining Don Brad­man and Sunil Gavaskar as the only Test captains to score four centuries in a series.

His 722 runs are the most scored by an Indian batsman in a series against England, surpassing team-mate Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 712 in 2023-24.

“Nobody ever doubted Shubman Gill’s talent,” said head coach Gautam Gambhir.

“Those who did, they just know to talk cricket but lack understanding of the game.

Some people take time to blossom in international cricket. And no one in the dressing room is surprised by what he has done.”

Uncapped wicket-keeper Narayan Jagadeesan was on Monday called into the India squad as cover, after Rishabh Pant was ruled out with a fractured foot.

Dhruv Jurel is expected to take the gloves in the fifth Test.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2025