New Delhi: India will look to bounce back to winning ways and keep the series alive when they lock horns with England in the crucial 4th Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting Wednesday, July 23. India are currently trailing 2-1 in the five-match series after their close 22-run defeat in the third Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
India have been marred by injuries ahead of the series-deciding 4th Test as they will miss the services of all-rounder Nitish Reddy and pacer Arshdeep Singh. Fast bowler Akash Deep is also nursing a groin injury and is a doubt to take part in the Manchester encounter. In his absence, India can utilise Anshul Kamboj in the playing XI after he was added to the squad as a cover.
While skipper Shubman Gill confirmed Rishabh Pant is fit to keep wickets, India still face some major selection headache ahead of the 4th Test. With Reddy out of the series, the visitors will have to decide if they want a diirect replacement for him in Shardul Thakur or should they go with an extra batter. Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management is also an issue as the pacer will only play one of the remaining two Tests.
Nonetheless, India will look to give their all in Manchester to keep their dream of winning a Test series in England alive. However, it won’t be an easy task for Gill & Co. as England will head into the Test match on a confident note, with momentum on their side after their victory at Lord’s. England have recalled veteran spinner Liam Dawson in their playing XI to replace injured Shoaib Bashir in Manchester.
India vs England – Head to head record at Old Trafford
India have an abysmal record in Test matches at the Old Trafford in Manchester. India and England have played nine matches at the venue, with the visitors yet to win a Test match. India have never won a Test at Old Trafford. In nine matches, England have won four, while the other five have been draws.
India’s highest run-getters in Tests at Old Trafford
The legendary Sunil Gavaskar has the most runs for India in Tests in Manchester. The former India captain scored 242 runs in 3 matches at an average of 48.40 at the venue, including a solitary century. Vijay Merchant is the only other Indian with more than 200 runs in Tests in Manchester.
He notched up 225 runs in two matches, including a ton. Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin is third on the elite list with 190 runs in the only match he played at the venue.
India’s highest wickets takers in Tests at Old Trafford
Former spinner Vinoo Mankad is the highest wicket-taker for India in Manchester with 9 wickets in two matches. He is followed by former all-rounder Syed Abid Ali, who picked up 8 wickets in two matches at the venue. Lala Amarnath holds the third spot with 8 wickets in the only Test match he played in Manchester.