KL Rahul and Shubman Gill forged an unbeaten 174-run partnership after India lost two wickets for 0 against England in the Manchester Test, creating a rare record in 148 years of cricket history. This has happened only three times in Test cricket.
IND vs ENG: The fourth match of the England vs India Test series, being played at Old Trafford in Manchester, presented cricket fans with a moment that will be remembered for a long time. On the fourth day, the Indian team's second innings got off to a disastrous start. Both the opening batsmen returned to the pavilion without scoring in the very first over. The score of 0/2 on the scoreboard is a sign of crisis 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 been registered only three times in 148 years of Test history.
Crisis at the Start, Then Stability
India did not score big in the first innings, and England had taken a lead of 311 runs. After losing two wickets for zero at the start of the second innings, it seemed that India was heading towards a defeat by an innings. But KL Rahul (unbeaten) and Shubman Gill (unbeaten) presented a brilliant example of patience, technique, and mental fortitude. Both changed the course of the match by forging an unbeaten 174-run partnership for the third wicket.
Only the Third Time in 148 Years
Thousands of Test cricket matches have been played since 1877. But a 100+ run partnership for the third wicket after losing two wickets without any runs has occurred 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 registered their names in this rare list by forging an unbeaten partnership of 174+ runs against England in Manchester.
Rahul and Shubman Played Under Pressure
What makes this partnership special are the circumstances. England's bowlers were consistently taking advantage of the bounce and swing. The cloudy conditions were helping the bowlers. After the early fall of two wickets, disappointment was clearly visible on the faces of the Indian fans present in the stadium. But the restrained batting of Rahul and Gill changed the atmosphere. Every defensive shot, every run, and every over brought relief to the Indian dressing room.
Why is This Partnership Special?
- This record has been made only three times in 148 years.
- This is now the highest partnership after losing 2 wickets for 0.
- Both batsmen are still unbeaten, meaning this record can be extended further.
- Considering the mental pressure and the challenge of batting on a foreign pitch, it will be counted among 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, but it is a struggle to save the match. After trailing by 311 runs, the team's goal is now to avoid defeat by an innings and take the match towards a draw. Cricket analysts believe that if Rahul and Gill play out the entire fourth day and stay at the crease for some time on the fifth day as well, India can save the match.
Increased Expectations on Social Media
After this performance by Rahul and Shubman, reactions from fans flooded social media. Many described it as the 'Adelaide moment of 2025', while some wrote – 'This is not just a partnership, it is a name of passion.' Former cricketers also tweeted, praising their technique and mental strength.
What Next?
Now all eyes are on the fifth day. Will Rahul and Gill take this record partnership to a double century? Will Team India manage to draw the match? If that happens, it will be no less than a victory.
