MANCHESTER: India pulled off an unlikely draw at Old Trafford after staring down the barrel of a crushing defeat. On a final day filled with tension and character, the visitors battled back from a 311-run first-innings deficit, helped by two key partnerships that turned the tide.
By lunch, India were already two wickets down without a run on the board. An innings loss looked inevitable. But Shubman Gill and KL Rahul dug in for a gritty 188-run stand that kept the scoreboard ticking and England at bay. Then came twin centuries from Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, innings built on patience, resilience, and calm under pressure. Together, they carried India to safety and salvaged what had once looked like a hopeless match.
But even as the dust settled on the field, events in the stands sparked a different kind of drama.
During the Test, a spectator wearing a green Pakistan cricket jersey was asked by security officials to remove it. According to those present, the request first came from a staffer believed to be of Indian origin. The fan refused, insisting he had done nothing wrong and that Indian supporters around him had no issue with his attire. The situation escalated. More security arrived. Then the police got involved.
The fan was briefly escorted out for a conversation with officers before being allowed back inside the ground. No charges were filed. But the incident has stirred debate, especially online.
Old Trafford’s match-day rules allow only England and India gear during certain fixtures. Technically, security was within its rights. But the decision to single out the fan wearing a Pakistani shirt has raised eyebrows—especially given the already tense relations between India and Pakistan, both on and off the field.
The political frost between the two countries has seeped into sport before. A legends match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions was recently scrapped due to off-field tensions. This latest incident risks deepening the divide.
For now, the game moves on. India can take heart from their fightback. But for some in the crowd, it’s not the final score that will be remembered. It’s the feeling of being told what not to wear at a game of cricket.
