🏏 England vs India – 4th Test Match Preview
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM Local (Manchester) / 10:00 AM GMT / ~4:30 PM IST
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (Capacity ~19,000)
Series Status: England lead 2–1 in a five-match series for the newly introduced Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy
🚨 Series Stakes
England's narrow 22‑run win at Lord’s pushed them ahead in this pivotal series. India desperately need victory in Manchester to avoid handing England an unassailable 3–1 lead. Analysts including Michael Atherton and Monty Panesar have urged India to reconsider their bowling setup—possibly using three spinners and banking heavily on Jasprit Bumrah's inclusion.
🧭 Conditions & Strategy
Pitch & Weather: Old Trafford traditionally offers bounce and seam early, with a gradual increase in spin by Day 3 or 4. Teams batting first have historically fared better, with an average 1st innings total of about 330 runs. Manchester’s forecast: cloudy but dry — ideal for swing bowling.
Tactical Input:
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Atherton’s suggestion of a three-spinner strategy could complement the conditions and unsettle England’s lineup.
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Inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah is deemed essential by experts like Panesar for India's must-win scenario.
🧑🤝🧑 Team Battles & Key Players
India
Captain: Shubman Gill
Make-or-break Inclusion: Jasprit Bumrah — returns from back surgery and has delivered consistent match-winning spells in Tests.
Watchpoints:
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Rishabh Pant: Overcame finger injury and is poised to resume both batting and wicket-keeping duties.
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Shubman Gill: Riding high on form, having recently scored back-to-back centuries as captain at Leeds and Edgbaston — including a marathon 269 followed by a 161-run knock, totaling 430 runs in a single Test.
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Spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and R. Ashwin will be key if team opts for a three-spinner unit.
England
Captain: Ben Stokes
Recent Success at Lord’s: A narrow win enabled by exemplary seam and spin work.
Key Inclusions:
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Jofra Archer: Returned from long-term injury in Test 3 with a five-wicket haul and is eager to continue.
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Liam Dawson: Recalled to replace Shoaib Bashir, bringing experienced spin to England’s ranks.
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Joe Root: A standout performer at Old Trafford—almost 1,000 runs at the venue, including a double-century and seven fifties. A prime target for India’s attack.
Match Prediction
With England holding the series lead and home advantage, they enter Old Trafford as slight favorites. However, a combination of India's spin trio and inspired batting could tilt the game. Road to series survival depends largely on Bumrah being fit and firing.
Predicted Outcome: England to clinch the series unless India execute bold, smart strategy with both bat and ball.
📋 Match Snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | 4th Test: England vs India |
| Dates | July 23–27, 2025 |
| Venue | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Series Score | England lead 2–1 |
| Key India Player | Jasprit Bumrah (if selected) |
| Key England Player | Joe Root, Jofra Archer |
| Potential Strategy | India: 3 spinners, England: strong seam/returning Archer |
| Series Outlook | India need win; England can close it out |
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