This wasn’t quite Sydney 2021 reprised. There was no dodgy hamstring (Hanuma Vihari) to contend with, no tetchy back (R Ashwin) to overcome. But that didn’t make Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja’s fierce, combative rearguard action any less celebratory.

Vihari and Ashwin had battled their physical demons, huge pressure and Australia’s best for nearly 43 overs to steer their side to a sensational draw in the third Test, the precursor to a famous, unparalleled chase of 328 at The Gabba in the next game which gave India a second successive series triumph Down Under.

Similar survival scenario

At Old Trafford on Sunday, Washington and Jadeja were tasked with something similar if India were not to surrender the Test series against England with a match to play. United just before lunch on Day Five with India needing 89 more to avoid an innings defeat and having to bat three hours, at the very minimum, to stave off defeat, the two lefties put on a masterclass in defensive batting on a wearing surface, reducing England to petulant wrecks when the fourth Test ended with India fashioning an honourable stalemate.