WV Raman hails Shubman Gill and KL Rahul’s partnership to save Old Trafford Test

Former Indian batter WV Raman has showered praise on Indian captain Shubman Gill and opener KL Rahul for adding a match-saving partnership against England at Old Trafford. India was left reeling at 0-2 in the second innings after conceding a mammoth lead of 311 runs.

That’s when Gill joined forces with KL Rahul just before the lunch break on the fourth day. India didn’t lose any more wickets on the penultimate day as the pair added 174 runs.

In total, the duo added 188 runs for the third wicket to help India play out the draw. While Rahul scored 90 runs off 230 balls, Gill scored another fine knock of 103 runs off 238 balls. 

Raman said the pair had the rub of the green on their side as England captain Ben Stokes didn’t bowl a single over out of the 63 overs which were bowled by the home team on the fourth day due to injury concerns.

WV Raman said on his YouTube Channel, “They put on a partnership which was fantastic and productive, and it was a partnership which would have really frustrated the England bowlers. England were, of course, handicapped by the fact that Ben Stokes was not looking fit enough to bowl.

“That was perhaps the stroke of luck that India needed and full marks to Shubman Gill and KL Rahul for putting up the resistance and putting up a display of excellent batsmanship right through the two sessions on Day 4.”

Rahul and Gill were dismissed before the lunch break on the final day, and thus the onus was on Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Both left-handers scored centuries and helped India get a draw.

“Post-lunch, India was again dependent on Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to fight it out, and they put on a great partnership. It was a great partnership in every sense. They were solid, they were also very judicious in their shot selection and they were also technically excellent.

“It was a role model for what batting should be under pressure and the youngsters, who saw them either at the venue or on the television screens would have learnt a lot and importantly, that is how innings are built in Test cricket- very steadily and very calmly,” Raman added.

The fifth and final Test match between England and India will be played at the Kennington Oval, London, from 31st July onwards.