The India vs England 4th Test will begin on 23rd July. The Indian team has to win against a confident England if they want to stay in the game. India has played 2 test matches and has already lost 2 matches, and India has to win to be in the game to be in the 2nd position in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. It is a megamatch where a lot is at stake. Can India win at Old Trafford, or will Ben Stokes’ England team close out the series strong?
India vs England 4th Test; Venue Overview: Manchester Jinx
India had never won a Test at Old Trafford previously. It is common that the fast bowlers are assisted with the pitch at the initial stages, but it becomes easier to bat since then. If it’s cloudy, that could change the game, so how well teams bowl with the new ball will be the key. Let’s look at the test record of India at Old Trafford:
- Matches played: 9
- India Won: 0
- India Lost: 4
- Draw: 5
- India’s highest score: 432/10 in 119.2 overs in 1990
- India’s lowest score: 58/10 in 21.4 overs in 1952
This Indian team, with Shubman Gill and a younger, bolder team, could very well cope with English conditions much better than the previous Indian teams. So, there’s a chance for this new Indian team to break the records of years in the India vs England 4th Test. Indian batsmen will be able to surpass the highest score of the stadium taken by Mohammad Azharuddin (179 runs off 243 balls), and Indian bowlers are getting an opportunity to take a fifer like Lala Amarnath, Vinoo Mankad, Surendranath, and Dilip Doshi.
Key players to keep an eye on: India vs England 4th Test
With the India vs England 4th Test on the cards, everyone is dwelling on a few players who might actually give them a run in this major game:
INDIAN Team:
1. Shubman Gill: The captain of Team India has already shown his potential, and he has already broken a few records in this series. His score in Lord’s was not that good, but it is expected that he will Captain Gill will create a captivating innings in Old Trafford.
2. Risabh Pant: The violent manner with which Pant bats, along with the improved wicket-keeping abilities, may prove critical on English soil, where the ball does swing extensively.
3. Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah is the one who can trigger the ball and make a spell or two; he is the secret weapon of India in Manchester.
4. KL Rahul: Rahul has a composed personality and some methods that can stabilize India batting order.
5. Ravindra Jadeja: The all-rounder’s dual role as a wicket-taker and counter-attacking batter adds immense value, especially on a Day 4–5 pitch, as at Lord’s, he was there fighting on the pitch till the end.
6. Akash Deep: This Bengal fast bowler is turning into a reliable third option in England, given his good track record and how he’s been bowling lately.
ENGLAND Team:
1. Joe Root: Root is the most important in the English batting. He is also very adept at taking pressure and turning promising innings into mammoth ones, and that will be really handy.
2. Ben Stokes: Stokes has a lot of energy, commands intelligently, and is capable of turning the game with his batting and bowling.
3. Jofra Archer: The speed/bounce in this case caused by Archer could be vital with the Old Trafford a quick wicket.
4. Chris Woakes: Woakes is great in English conditions. His swing bowling and runs down the order mean he’s the complete package at home.
5. Brydon Carse: The tall, fast bowler brings something different with his bounce and how he moves the ball. In the last test at Lord’s, he even scored 56 runs in 83 balls in the first innings.
6. Jamie Smith: He is a wicket-keeper batter with a cool temperament who can move his smooth shots very much. If he plays well here, he could lock down his spot.
Why is Old Trafford like a nightmare for India?
Old Trafford has never lacked the fame of having one of the best pitches, especially favoring seam bowlers. Old Trafford is on the swing side, and the pitch does not dry out. This makes it great for fast bowlers, especially guys like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who have ruled here for years.
Key reasons for India’s tough time in this pitch:
- The weather factor plays a pivotal role; Manchester’s weather can be all over the place, and it often helps England’s swing bowlers at the start of a game. Let’s see what will happen in the India vs England 4th Test.
- Early swing and bounce often make problems for Indian batters.
- In the case of the Indian team, the more they lose, the more difficult it is to break the losing streak in the end.
India vs England 4th Test: Is it possible for India to break the 89-year curse?
The India vs England 4th Test is super important; the stakes are high as the teams are getting ready for the match at Old Trafford. If India wins, they can make history, prove the haters wrong, and finally win in Manchester. Shubman Gill and the young guys are showing some real talent, and India’s fast bowlers are hitting their stride, so now’s the time for them to step up. They broke the record in Edgbaston; now it’s their time to break the curse of 89 years in Manchester.
As England is already leading (2-1), they have a chance to wrap up the series and keep crushing it in the World Test Championship, and England has always played well in Old Trafford, their home ground. It’s the Indian team’s time to pull up their socks and give their best to draw the series for now and put a full stop to years of curse.
No matter what happens, this test series promises to be exciting and memorable. Get ready for a big moment in India vs. England Test history.
Annsly Raena 
Tanya Singh 
Soureesh Datta
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