Team India prepares to face an important test against England in the fourth test of the five-test series, which is to be played between July 23 and July 27. England is ahead by 2-1; this is a vital match of the series. The series is not the only thing that India is trying to tie; they are also entering a new era.
England is just one win away from claiming the series
England had enjoyed a massive 22-run win over the third Test at Lord’s; thus, they have a 2-1 lead in the series, and it is also due to their 5-wicket success in the first Test at Headingley. Having that behind them, they travel to Manchester, where they have not lost a test since 2014 and have a good record.
Two of the largest stars in the country, Joe Root and Ben Stokes, are going to lead the side once again. Stokes is playing his 100th Test, and Root averages 48.58 against India in Tests and will be an important element in the lineup, along with Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in the middle order.
England have also included Jofra Archer in their team, as he has been unable to play this season due to his elbow injury. Archer joins Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse to strengthen a pace-oriented bowling lineup, with Liam Dawson also available as a spin option.
England squad (confirmed) fourth test:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
India is confident to level the series under Gill’s leadership
It is a test team of young and old players. The skipper is Shubman Gill, who leads the batting line-up, followed by Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Karun Nair in the top seven.
There are two powerful wicketkeepers, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, who are at the service. Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj are the all-rounders.
In the bowling department, the pace aces Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the front runners and they are supported by Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Kuldeep Yadav, who has been bowling brilliantly after a good Indian Premier League.
India’s Squad for the 4th Test:
- Batters: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (VC), Dhruv Jurel
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav
The playing XI will be finalized on the morning of the match.
Series recap: England 2-1 India
| Test | Venue | Winner |
| 1st Test | Headingley, Leeds | England won by 5 wickets |
| 2nd Test | Edgbaston, Birmingham | India won by 336 runs |
| 3rd Test | Lord’s, London | England won by 22 runs |
| 4th Test | Old Trafford, Manchester | July 23–27 |
| 5th Test | The Oval, London | July 31–Aug 4 |
Key players to watch
- Joe Root (ENG): 11,395 Test runs, 30 centuries – England’s most dependable batter.
- Ben Stokes (ENG): Playing his 100th Test; 6,289 runs & 204 wickets – a true threat as an all-rounder.
- Mohammed Siraj (IND): Leading wicket-taker in the series with 13 wickets in 3 Tests, followed by Jasprit Bumrah with 12 wickets in 2 Tests.
- Shubman Gill (IND): Series-leading batsman with 607 runs in 3 Tests. Scored 269 and 161 in the Edgbaston Test, helping India achieve a memorable victory.
Off the field: Indian Cricket Team meets Manchester United
In a delightful crossover of sporting cultures, the Indian cricket team visited Old Trafford’s football side earlier this week, interacting with players and staff from Manchester United. The visit included a tour of the iconic stadium and dressing room and a friendly exchange of jerseys. The moment provided a lighthearted respite amid a tense series and celebrated the growing camaraderie between global sports communities.
What’s at stake?
- For England: A win seals the series 3-1 and marks a successful home campaign.
- For India: A win levels the series at 2-2 and sets up a decider at The Oval.
This test also carries implications for the World Test Championship, with both teams aiming to stay in contention for the 2025 final.
Pitch and conditions
Old Trafford typically supports seamers on the first two days, gradually providing a turn starting on Day 4. Early weather predictions indicate a mild cloud cover with temperatures ranging from 18 to 22°C, which may favor the fast bowlers to swing the ball.
When and where to watch?
- Match Date: July 23 to 27, 2025
- Time: 3:30 PM IST / 11:00 AM BST
- Live Streaming (India): Disney+ Hotstar
- Television Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Historical context
India has played 9 Tests at Old Trafford, with no wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses. With a younger and more aggressive squad now taking the field, this match presents a chance to make history.
Decider in Disguise: Will England Seal It or India Strike Back?
With the best players, various styles and a closely fought series score, the 4th Test in Manchester is set for a thrilling encounter. Can India stage a comeback under new management or will England keep up their course to win the series? The whole world of cricket fans will be keeping a close eye upon it.
Annsly Raena 
Tanya Singh 
Soureesh Datta 
Very good reporting…
Well done 👍…
Keep it up…
Well done Sagnik,
“Good effort on the report! Just a suggestion: “The content of your news report was strong. However, improving the use of English in future reports will enhance readability and overall effectiveness.”