The fourth Test of the ongoing five-match Anderson-Tendulkar series between India and England will be played by Shubman Gill-led India against Ben Stokes-led England. The gut-wrenching nature of the 22-run loss in a nail-biting third Test at Lord’s will have given India incentive to come charging back to put the series on equal footing.
England had gotten into the early lead with a five-wicket victory at Headingley, but India leveled the series with a 336-run victory at Edgbaston. England now has a 2-1 lead going into the Manchester Test with their recent victory.
England vs India, 4th Test: Match Details
| Match | India vs England, 4th Test |
|---|---|
| Venue | Old Trafford |
| Date & Time (IST) | July 23-27, 3:30 PM |
| Live Broadcast and Streaming Details | JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar (App & Website) |
England vs India, 4th Test: Pitch Report
Manchester ground has long been famous for its fast pace and bonus pitches. However, over the years, Old Trafford pitches have lost the advantage and have become sluggish in recent years. Since there are slight chances of rain, the pitch once again can be at the advantage of the pacers and give them that additional pace and bounce.
England vs India, 4th Test: Weather Report
The match forecast indicates light rain in between, with rainy showers occurring during all five days. The temperatures would oscillate between the maximum of 19 C and the low of 13 C which would render the situation somewhat difficult by the players.
England vs India, 4th Test: Toss Report
Both teams will prefer to bat first on what appears to be a good batting surface, especially with the possibility of rain on the final day.
England vs India, 4th Test: Team Analysis
India Strengths:
India’s resilience was evident in their dominant 336-run victory in the 2nd Test, proving they can bounce back from adversity. Captain Shubman Gill has shown maturity in his leadership role and scored heavily throughout the series, giving India stability at the top order. The opening combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul has provided consistent starts, with Rahul’s century in the 3rd Test demonstrating their batting depth.
The pace bowling unit, led by Mohammed Siraj in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, has adapted well to English conditions. Washington Sundar’s emergence as a key all-rounder was highlighted by his 4-wicket haul in England’s second innings at Lord’s. Rishabh Pant’s aggressive batting style and sharp wicket-keeping continue to be valuable assets, while Ravindra Jadeja’s fighting 61* in the 3rd Test showed his ability to perform under extreme pressure.
India Weaknesses:
The injury to Akash Deep is a significant blow, forcing India to consider debuting Anshul Kamboj or making other bowling changes. The narrow defeat at Lord’s exposed India’s tendency to collapse under pressure, losing three wickets for just 11 runs when chasing a modest target. The team’s over-reliance on key performers like Jadeja and Pant was evident in the 3rd Test, where their lower order couldn’t provide adequate support.
India’s fielding lapses have been costly throughout the series, and their inability to close out tight matches remains a concern. The pressure of playing a must-win Test to keep the series alive adds mental strain that could affect player performance.
England Strengths:
England holds the psychological advantage with a 2-1 series lead and the confidence of pulling off dramatic victories, especially their thrilling 22-run win at Lord’s. Joe Root’s consistent batting, including his century in the 3rd Test, provides the backbone of their batting lineup. The pace bowling attack featuring Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, and Brydon Carse has adapted excellently to home conditions.
Captain Ben Stokes’ all-round contributions and leadership in pressure situations have been decisive, particularly his 3-wicket haul in the 3rd Test’s crucial second innings. Shoaib Bashir’s spin bowling adds variety to their attack, and their ability to capitalize on opposition mistakes has been evident throughout the series.
England Weaknesses:
England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, while effective, can lead to unnecessary risks that cost them crucial partnerships. Their middle-order dependency on Root and Stokes was exposed during challenging periods, and their lower-order batting remains vulnerable if the top order fails.
The spin department lacks the depth and experience that India possesses with Jadeja and Washington Sundar. England’s tendency to get complacent with a series lead could potentially be exploited by a determined Indian side fighting to stay alive.
England vs India, 4th Test: Key Players
India:
Rishabh Pant: India’s match-winner holds the key to forcing a decider in the fifth Test. His explosive batting style has the potential to swing momentum dramatically, and his sharp wicket-keeping continues to provide stability behind the stumps. With the series on the line, Pant’s ability to play a match-defining innings and forge crucial partnerships will determine whether India can extend the series or bow out at Old Trafford.
Mohammed Siraj: As India’s pace spearhead in Bumrah’s continued absence and with Akash Deep ruled out due to injury, Siraj carries an enormous bowling burden. His mastery of reverse swing and ability to extract movement from English pitches makes him India’s primary weapon. The experienced pacer must deliver a series-defining performance and lead the attack with both skill and aggression to keep India’s series dreams alive.
England:
Joe Root: England’s batting anchor comes into the 4th Test with supreme confidence after his match-winning century at Lord’s. His vast experience and proven record against Indian bowling make him the foundation of England’s batting. Root’s ability to construct long innings and guide England to substantial totals could be the difference between clinching the series or allowing India back into contention.
Chris Woakes: The home conditions specialist has been England’s most consistent performer with the ball throughout the series. His exceptional record at Old Trafford, combined with his ability to swing the ball both ways and contribute valuable runs down the order, makes him a complete package. Woakes’ familiarity with Manchester conditions and current form pose the greatest threat to India’s must-win aspirations.
England vs India, 4th Test: Probable Playing XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav/Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj.
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
England vs India Test: Updated Head-to-Head Records
Total Test Series Played: 36
England Wins: 17
India Wins: 11
Drawn Series: 8
Current Series Status: England leads 2-1
England vs India, 2nd Test: Dream 11 Prediction
Wicket-Keeper: Rishabh Pant, Jamie Smith
Batters: Shubman Gill (c), Joe Root (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harry Brook
All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Chris Woakes, Prasidh Krishna
England vs India Test: Full Squad
India squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana.
England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
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