Gukesh drew 56…Rb2+ with Azerbaijan's Mahammad Muradli in Round 8, letting India stay within a point of the leaders.
Earlier in Round 6, Nihal Sarin’s queen blunder against Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Yakubboev cost India the lead in the title race.
Savitha Shri, on board 4, outplayed Elnaz Kaliakhmet in a long Italian Game, winning 62.Ra2 and keeping India’s title chase alive.
Uzbekistan and Germany sit tied at 14 points, while China, Azerbaijan, the United States, India, Armenia and France trail on 13, all hungry for a slip.
India will face another top‑tier team in the final round, a do‑or‑die that could seal the title.