Gill joins Bradman, Gavaskar with hundred in Manchester

Shubman Gill delivered a captain's knock for the ages on the final day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, scoring a defiant 103 to become only the third captain in Test history to notch four centuries in a single series -- joining the iconic Sir Donald Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar in an elite club.

With India staring at a massive challenge after a top-order collapse left them reeling at 0-2 early on, Gill, along with KL Rahul, orchestrated a remarkable recovery. 

The pair stitched together a resilient 188-run stand for the third wicket, grinding down England's bowlers on a wearing fifth-day pitch. Rahul, unlucky to miss out on a century, was dismissed for 90 after being trapped LBW by a visibly limping Ben Stokes, who brought himself on to bowl despite battling injuries.

Gill, meanwhile, was undeterred -- even after taking a painful blow on the hand -- and brought up his century off 228 balls, laced with 12 elegant boundaries. It was a statement of character from the 25-year-old, captaining India for the first time in a Test series. His innings spanned nearly seven hours, a gritty display of temperament and endurance under pressure.

However, just before lunch, a weary Gill fell to Jofra Archer, nicking behind for 103, leaving India at 223-4, still trailing England by 88 runs in the second innings. England had a chance to tighten the screws immediately, but Joe Root dropped Ravindra Jadeja at slip the very next ball, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Washington Sundar, unbeaten on 21, will resume in the afternoon alongside Jadeja, with India's hopes of salvaging the Test — and potentially keeping the series alive — resting on their shoulders.

The Test, and indeed the series, has been a closely-fought affair with each match going into the final day. But regardless of the final result, Gill's extraordinary performance throughout the series — four centuries, leadership under fire, and unshakable poise — has announced his arrival not just as a batsman of pedigree, but a captain of promise.