Gill and Rahul resist England’s push for victory

England still have work to do in order to win the fourth Test after some stoic India resistance on the fourth day at Old Trafford.

India closed on 174-2, 137 behind thanks to a rearguard partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill.

The tourists had been 0-2, but Rahul and captain Gill blunted an England attack shorn of Ben Stokes, who did not bowl all day.

Skipper Stokes earlier completed his first hundred in more than two years to lift England to 669, their third-highest total in a home Test.

Stokes’ 141, to go with his 5-72 in the India first innings, made him only the fourth England man to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test.

Giving up a deficit of 311 runs, India were in danger of being steamrollered when Chris Woakes removed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in consecutive deliveries in the first over of the second innings.

From 0-2, Rahul and Gill came together for a unbroken stand of 174 across almost 63 overs. Gill has 78, Rahul has 87.

Without the energy of talismanic all-rounder Stokes, England were bereft of penetration when the ball lost its hardness and pitch went to sleep.

The home side are still huge favourites for the win that would clinch the series, but India are clinging to hope of escaping Manchester with a draw. (BBC)