Team India achieved a remarkable feat in Test cricket history by becoming the first-ever team to post a total exceeding 400 runs after being reduced to 0/2. The historic moment occurred during the fourth Test match against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, as part of the ongoing five-match Test series between the two teams.

The match witnessed an extraordinary fightback by the Indian batters. After losing both openers—Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan—without scoring a run in the very first over of the innings, the visitors went on to accumulate a formidable total of 425/4. Their effort ensured a heroic draw, keeping the series alive with one more Test to play at the Oval in London.

This unprecedented effort is now recorded as the only instance in Test history where a team has scored more than 400 runs after being 0/2. In Test cricket's long and storied past, only three teams have ever crossed the 400-run mark after losing their first two wickets without scoring, and India has been involved in all three.

Previous Instances of the Rare Feat:

In 1983, the Indian side had pulled off a similar rescue against the West Indies at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Back then, they posted 451/8 declared. The first-ever instance of this rare milestone was set in 1958, when the West Indies scored 443/7 declared against India in Kanpur. The 2025 Manchester match marks the third such instance—with India responsible for achieving the feat twice.

How the Match Unfolded

It looked like India was heading toward a collapse when Chris Woakes dismissed both openers in the very first over. At 0/2, the pressure was immense, and England were hoping to wrap up the Test match quickly. However, the Indian middle order had different plans.

KL Rahul led the initial recovery with a crucial knock of 90 runs, missing out on a well-deserved century. Following him, it was Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja who turned the tide decisively in India’s favor.

• Shubman Gill scored a well-crafted century, making the most of two dropped chances—one on 20 and another on 82.

• Washington Sundar, promoted up the order, was confident and fluid, notching up a maiden Test hundred.

• Ravindra Jadeja, a rock for India throughout the series, also scored a century, proving his growing stature as a reliable Test all-rounder.

England’s bowling attack looked toothless after the first over. From overs 2 to 143, they could manage just two more wickets, thanks to India’s resolute and patient batting.

England's Missed Opportunities

Fielding errors compounded England’s woes. The team dropped key catches, allowing India's batters to escape early dismissals:

• Gill was dropped twice—once on 20 and then again on 82.

• Jadeja survived an early scare when Joe Root failed to grab a slip catch on the very first ball he faced.

Such lapses proved costly, as all dropped batters went on to make significant contributions.

Implications for the Series

This result means that the five-match Test series remains alive heading into the final Test at The Oval in London. India trails 2-1, and a win in the final match will ensure a drawn series. While the focus will be on team selection—with changes expected due to Rishabh Pant’s injury and workload management—India’s fighting spirit has already won the hearts of fans and cricketing pundits alike.

With Rishabh Pant ruled out and bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested, the Indian team management will rely heavily on the confidence gained from this match to power through in the series finale.

Key Takeaways

• India's resilience under pressure, especially after losing two wickets for no runs, showed the depth and character of their batting line-up.

• Shubman Gill, Jadeja, and Sundar's centuries, combined with KL Rahul’s gritty 90, formed the backbone of the batting effort.

• England’s poor fielding and lack of penetration in bowling helped India claw back into the Test match.

Conclusion

India’s incredible performance in the fourth Test will go down as one of the most iconic fightbacks in Test cricket history. Not only did they survive 143 overs on a challenging surface, but they also created history by scoring the highest-ever Test total after being 0/2.

With this draw, India has retained momentum and belief ahead of the final Test, and cricket fans across the globe will now await what promises to be a thrilling finish to a dramatic Test series.

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