The England vs India fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, commenced on July 23, 2025, with high stakes and even greater tension. England, leading 2-1 in the five-match series, chose to field first, hoping seam-friendly conditions would play into their hands. India, captained by Shubman Gill, faced not just the challenge of drawing level but also of overturning their poor record at Manchester, with injuries forcing key team changes. The drama, already simmering from confrontations in the previous Test, saw its first flashpoint when Gill’s dismissal set social media ablaze.
Fans lampoon Shubman Gill’s costly error on Ben Stokes inswinger
Gill’s wicket was the talk of the afternoon, and not for the reasons he would have hoped. Coming in after the solid start set by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, Gill faced Ben Stokes in the 50th over. Stokes angled a good length ball in from outside off, and Gill, opting for caution, thrust his front foot out and offered no shot. The ball nipped back sharply, striking him flush below the knee roll. Umpire Rod Tucker answered England’s loud appeal, raising the finger as Gill immediately reviewed the decision. The review was never in doubt: three reds on the replay, absolutely stone dead. “You cannot do that to Stokes,” as one commentator remarked, summarizing the folly of leaving a Stokes inducker on these helpful pitches.
The moment Gill’s wicket was confirmed, fans instantly took to social media to voice their frustration and disappointment. Many mocked the Indian captain’s technique against the moving ball, with memes and sarcastic posts flooding social media. The chorus of online criticism highlighted a growing impatience with Gill’s run of underwhelming scores in whites, especially when his leadership is so crucial in the series context.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Absolute poor shot from Shubman Gill man expected much better. 💔 pic.twitter.com/bzgnwVM6z2
— DR Yadav (@DrYadav5197) July 23, 2025
Absolutely poor from skipper Shubman Gill. 🥲
He goes for 12(23).#ShubmanGill #ENGvIND #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/Lfe4xt2Y7W
— Jitendra Kumar (@jitenda60203698) July 23, 2025
Shubman Gill followed his own ‘no time-wasting’ policy too literally 🥲🥲#INDvsENG#ENGvIND #INDvsENGTest #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/PNpEyFsNHj
— छोटा भाई🤝 (@HM190533) July 23, 2025
Old habits die hard… !
Shubman Gill has worked on his flaws but it feels that inswing deliveries have started to trouble him again ! #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/HDOPwY7V2m
— Avinash Kumar Atish (@Avinashkmratish) July 23, 2025
Shubman Gill is having the same fate as Graeme Smith had in that test series against England in 2003. Loads of runs in the first two tests and then went completely silent with the bat for the remainder of the series.
— Rakesh Kumar Yadav (@ReasonedIndian) July 23, 2025
Shubman gill ko Sara Tendulkar ki Buri Nazar lag gai hai..
London vale event k bad se #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/0xSBV5ACXz
— Gaurav Pandey (@gaurav5pandey) July 23, 2025
Shubman Gill, India’s stand-in captain, walks back after scoring just 12 runs — a disappointing knock under pressure.
And fittingly, it’s Ben Stokes, the English skipper, who dismisses him at Manchester.
Captain gets Captain.
A fiery battle at Old Trafford.
England strike early… pic.twitter.com/6KJnmqmDuF— Ankit Rajput (@AnkitKu50823807) July 23, 2025
I think somehow Ben Stokes is playing too much in the mind of Shubman Gill after what happened at Lord’s. The problem is more mental than technical with him in my pov.#ShubmanGill𓃵 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/KR7V5GAMld
— Dipanjan Chatterjee (@I_am_DipCh) July 23, 2025
Really poor shot from Shubman Gill — had high hopes, this was unexpected. 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/O8Cn7CZuUX
— JassPreet (@JassPreet96) July 23, 2025
Gautam Gambhir meeting with Shubman Gill in dressing room 💀#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/j9CHgBTscb
— Bruce Wayne (@_Bruce__007) July 23, 2025
Openers show grit but India lost hold before Tea
Before Gill’s dramatic exit, the Indian openers offered a disciplined batting display against disciplined English seam bowling. Jaiswal and Rahul weathered early movement under cloudy Manchester skies. Jaiswal’s aggressive drives and Rahul’s patient accumulation saw India reach 78/0 at lunch, reflecting both control and intent. The duo compiled 94 for the first wicket—a stand that set a strong foundation on a challenging surface.
However, after lunch, England pulled things back. Woakes removed Rahul for 46, and Dawson broke through by dismissing Jaiswal for 58, curbing India’s momentum just as both looked set for bigger scores. At 120/2, Sai Sudharsan dug in, playing a watchful knock as Stokes and company continued to find movement and create pressure. But Gill’s untimely dismissal at 140/3—with just 12 runs to his name—left India in a spot of bother heading into tea.
At the interval, India were 149/3 from 52 overs, with Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant in the middle and the run rate at a cautious 2.86. The openers’ efforts gave India a foothold, but familiar middle-order stumbles meant the session once again belonged to England’s persistence and Gill’s lapse remained the day’s defining narrative.
