IND vs ENG 4th Test: 'Beyond this pair, I wouldn't be too hopeful' - Manjrekar hails Shubman Gill-KL Rahul resolve, outlines Day 5 challenge
KL Rahul and Shubman Gill (AFP Photo)Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.Poll Do you think India can save the Test match from their current position? Yes, they can No, it's unlikelyNEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar heaped praise on KL Rahul and Shubman Gill for their remarkable unbroken 174-run partnership on Day 4 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, describing their effort as “incredible” and filled with “restraint and mental resolve. ”India were staring down the barrel at 0/2 in their second innings, still trailing by 311 runs after England's mammoth 669. But Rahul (87*) and Gill (78*) dug deep, absorbing pressure across two sessions and steering India to 174/2 at stumps, giving the visitors renewed hope of saving the Test.“Both Gill and KL are IPL stars. If they had to, they could've hit Liam Dawson for three sixes an over. But to curb that instinct and do the exact opposite – dig deep and bat with restraint – that's what I admired,” Manjrekar said on JioHotstar's ‘Match Centre Live.'He added, “KL has scored in almost every innings and yet found the mental reserve to just bat time. Shubman's strike rate dropped from 67 before tea to 29 after. That tells a story.”Former England batter Jonathan Trott also applauded Gill's mental discipline, saying, “He can score quickly, but more importantly, he has the mindset to bat time.After the chaos of that first over, he came out clear-headed, knowing his role was to save the match.”Looking ahead to Day 5, Manjrekar cautioned that the opening 30 minutes and the second new ball (due in 17 overs) would be crucial.“That will be a big challenge. I still believe this partnership has to finish the job. Beyond this pair, I wouldn't be too hopeful,” Manjrekar said bluntly.India still trail by 137 runs with one full day remaining in what promises to be a thrilling finish in Manchester.
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