After losing two wickets for 0 runs in the Manchester Test against England, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill formed an unbeaten partnership of 174 runs, setting a rare record in 148 years of history. This is only the third time such an incident has occurred in Test cricket.
IND vs ENG: The fourth match of the England vs India Test series held at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester gifted cricket fans a moment that will be remembered for a long time. Team India's second innings got off to a very bad start on the fourth day. Both openers returned to the pavilion without scoring any runs in the first over. A score of 0/2 on the scoreboard is a danger signal for any team. But in this difficult time, KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill not only steadied the team but also set a record that has occurred only three times in 148 years of Test history.
Crisis at the Beginning, Then Stability
India failed to score big in the first innings, and England took a lead of 311 runs. With two wickets falling for zero runs at the start of the second innings, it seemed like India was heading for an innings defeat. But KL Rahul (unbeaten) and Shubman Gill (unbeaten) set a shining example of patience, strategy, and mental fortitude. Together, they turned the tide of the match with an unbeaten 174-run partnership for the third wicket.
Only the Third Time in 148 Years
Thousands of matches have been played in the history of Test cricket from 1877 to the present day. But a 100+ run partnership for the third wicket after the fall of two wickets without scoring any runs has been seen only three times so far.
- 1902 – England's Archie MacLaren and Stanley Jackson put on a 102-run partnership against Australia at Lord's.
- 1977-78 – India's Mohinder Amarnath and Gundappa Viswanath added 105 runs against Australia in Melbourne.
- 2025 – Now KL Rahul and Shubman Gill have entered their names in this rare list by forming an unbeaten 174+ run partnership against England in Manchester.
Rahul and Shubman's Game Under Pressure
What made this partnership special was the situation. The England bowlers were constantly taking advantage of bounce and swing. The bowlers were getting help due to the cloudy weather. With two wickets falling quickly at the beginning, disappointment was visible on the faces of the Indian supporters present in the stadium. But Rahul and Gill's restrained batting changed the atmosphere. Every defensive shot, every run, and every over gave relief to the Indian dressing room.
Why is this Partnership so Special?
- This record has only happened three times in 148 years.
- This is the first time such a long partnership has occurred after losing 2 wickets for 0 runs.
- Both are still unbeaten, meaning this record could increase further.
- Keeping in mind the mental pressure and the challenge of batting on a foreign pitch, it will be considered one of the best partnerships in modern Test cricket.
What Does this Effort Mean for Team India?
For India, this partnership is not just a story of adding runs, it is a struggle to save the match. After trailing by 311 runs, the team's goal now is to avoid an innings defeat and take the match towards a draw. According to cricket analysts, if Rahul and Gill can play the entire fourth day and survive for some time on the fifth day as well, India can save the match.
Expectations are Rising on Social Media
After this performance of Rahul and Shubman, the reaction of fans has overflowed on social media. Many have called it the '2025 Adelaide moment', while some have written – 'It's not just a partnership, it's the name of emotion.' At the same time, former cricketers have also praised the strategy and mental fortitude of both in their tweets.
What's Next?
Now everyone's eyes are on the fifth day. Will Rahul and Gill be able to take this record partnership to a double century? Will Team India be able to draw the match? If that happens, it will be no less than a victory.
