Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar scripted one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Indian cricket with exceptional centuries, helping the visitors pull off an improbable draw against all odds versus England in the fourth Test.
At lunch the previous day, even Michael Atherton had given up on India. “We were checking train times home as we all felt India were a bit down and out at that point,” he admitted on Sky. “Great respect to Gill and Rahul first of all for getting them through that initial crisis. Then it was over to Washington and Jadeja, who have taken on a terrific character from India.”
If Gill and Rahul were the resistance, then Jadeja and Sundar were the renaissance. Together, they carried the fight deep into the final session, stringing together a 100-run stand that not only wiped out the deficit but pushed India into the lead, forcing England to chase ghosts in the fading light.
In fact, by the time the final hour began at Old Trafford, England were done. Literally and emotionally. Captain Ben Stokes walked up to the umpires, gestured that England had had enough. But the Indians weren’t budging. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar stood their ground. Both were in their 80s. Both in sight of hundreds. The draw was secure, but pride wasn’t negotiable. They wanted to bat on.
