Last year scientific advisers said Test and Trace was not significantly reducing the spread of the coronavirus. England then entered a second lockdown in the autumn.
England, trailing 2-1 in the series, need another 70 to make India bat again but face another quick loss after their two-day humiliation in the third Test at the same venue.
England lost early wickets, including skipper Joe Root for five, to slump to 30-3 before Stokes put on key partnerships with Jonny Bairstow, who made 28, and Pope.
Gerrard's mood would not have been helped by the sight of an offside flag going up just as Connor Goldson headed home from Borna Barisic's free-kick four minutes after the restart.
Off-spinner Dom Bess looks likely to earn a recall after two games on the sidelines. The 23-year-old was initially dropped for Moeen Ali, only to be overlooked again when he flew back home.
Up to 55,000 fans, half of capacity, will be allowed at the stadium, which was renamed after India's prime minister hours before last week's third Test.
In-form Root remains key to England with 684 runs in his last three Tests, including match-winning monster scores of 228 and 186 in the 2-0 Test sweep in Sri Lanka.