Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh identified the Manchester Test draw as the turning point of India's recent Test series tour of England, which ended in a 2-2 series draw.
On a flat Old Trafford track, India played out the last five sessions to save the Test and end on a draw in the fourth Test. Skipper Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a gritty 103, and KL Rahul added a hard-fought 90 of 230 deliveries.
Spin-all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar also achieved centuries, contributing a fine 203-run fifth-wicket stand on the final day as India was left at 425/4. The duo notably refused England's invitation to shake hands on a draw when both were in their 80s.
The highlight of the tournament was when India drew the Test series (Manchester game). I have not seen, in a long while, Washington and Jadeja score hundreds and draw a Test match, and that says a lot," Yuvraj said in a video posted on ICC's Instagram handle on Thursday.
Yuvraj, who represented India in 40 Tests and amassed three centuries, also praised the batting efforts of veteran Jadeja and young Sundar, who posted his first Test century. "Clearly, Jadeja has been around for a long period. But I think Washington Sundar, coming into the side as a young lad, it was amazing what he did. Very proud of them," he said.
India went on to level the five-match series in a nerve-jangling six-run victory over England at The Oval, but Yuvraj feels that the Old Trafford draw was instrumental in the visitors' gaining confidence. "I definitely feel it's a win for us. Though it's a drawn series, as it's a young team, it's not easy to go and play in England and prove yourself.
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