England (ENG) and India (IND) are gearing up to clash once again in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, scheduled from July 23rd to 27th. Currently, England hold a 2-1 lead in the series.
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England vs India 4th Test: Preview
Two days before the Test, Old Trafford sat in an unusual stillness. The skies were grey, the atmosphere heavy, and the usual pre-match buzz was absent—save for the players, who moved with the weary rhythm of a long series. Just down the road in Deansgate, Manchester Day preparations were in full swing, promising vibrant parades and performances over the weekend. But inside the stadium, it was all about quiet focus and cautious resets, as if both sides were still recovering from the chaos at Lord’s just over a week ago.
After 15 days of relentless, high-octane cricket, this eight-day breather arrived like a blessing. Both camps needed it. Ben Stokes had poured every ounce of energy into back-to-back nine and ten-over spells on the final day at Lord’s—so much so that his post-match vow to stay in bed for days hardly seemed like exaggeration. Jofra Archer, making his long-awaited return to Test cricket after four years, didn’t even wait that long—he sank to the ground in a mixture of exhaustion and relief the moment the final wicket fell.
For England, only the legendary Don Bradman’s brilliance in 1936-37 has denied them a series win after going 2-0 up. That’s the kind of commanding position they now find themselves in again.
Joe Root enters the Manchester Test as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the history of the format with 13,259 runs. By the end of this match, he could leapfrog Ricky Ponting (13,378) to claim the No. 2 spot, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar.
England also have a wildcard in Liam Dawson, who comes into the side riding a wave of red-ball form. Twelve of his 15 five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket—including three ten-wicket match hauls—have come since 2021, underlining his potential impact on a surface that may assist him.
As for Liam Dawson, he returns to the Test spotlight having made his debut in the Chennai Test of 2016—a match best remembered for Karun Nair’s unbeaten 303. Nearly eight years later, Dawson arrives with a wealth of domestic experience and a chance to script a new chapter.
England have their own force of nature too—and he’s had his four days of rest. Ben Stokes emptied the tank at Lord’s, and in doing so, inspired his teammates to follow. Jofra Archer ignored the fact that he’d bowled just 18 overs in first-class cricket over the past four years; he went full throttle anyway. And Shoaib Bashir? A broken hand didn’t stop him from stepping up and spinning England to victory.
On the Indian side, Jasprit Bumrah carried a burden far beyond his bowling duties, surviving 54 tense deliveries in a doomed rescue attempt. Both squads have already lost players to injury and have had to call in fresh legs.
Sachin Tendulkar’s maiden Test century in 1990 remains the last individual hundred by an Indian at Old Trafford—a poignant reminder of how rarely India have flourished at this venue. In fact, they’ve played here just once in the last 30 years, underscoring the unfamiliarity of the ground for the visitors.
India have only twice clawed back after being 0-2 down in a Test series—against the West Indies in 1974-75 and Australia in 1977-78. Both times, the comeback fell just short, with defeats in the decider sealing their fate. History, then, does not lean in their favour.
On the other side, Shubman Gill has had a quietly impressive tour. He arrived with 1,893 Test runs and has added 607 more since, boosting his career total by over 30%—a strong indication of his growing maturity at the highest level.
India, meanwhile, will replay countless moments in their minds. The avoidable run-out. The mistimed backfoot block. Minor details, maybe, but now seen in the clarity of hindsight as game-changing. With time to absorb the scale of their slip-ups at Lord’s, they may now see 1-2 not as defeat, but as a script still open to revision. Perhaps that explains why Jasprit Bumrah is being rushed back in—he’s made a habit of rewriting fate when it matters most.
Amid the subdued mood, it was Rishabh Pant who brought a touch of levity during the teams’ first encounter in Manchester. As India wrapped up their training session and England began theirs, Ollie Pope was in the middle of suiting up. Spotting a loose football near the boundary, Pant—perhaps drawing on skills honed during a recent visit to Manchester United’s Carrington training ground—casually booted it toward Pope. The ball skidded across the turf and clipped the unsuspecting batter on the legs from about 20 yards away. Grinning, Pant dropped into a mock LBW appeal, drawing laughter from those nearby and momentarily lifting the tension in the air.
But while physical fatigue is visible, the psychological strain runs deeper. Mohammed Siraj tried to put words to it, still haunted by the image of that last delivery—defended perfectly, yet somehow crashing into the stumps. Three Tests in, and the difference between glory and heartbreak has been razor-thin. With the series delicately poised at 2-1, every moment is loaded with what-ifs that could’ve easily flipped the scoreline.
Now, the rest is over, and the battle resumes. On the eve of the fourth Test, Shubman Gill reignited the fire by invoking the ‘spirit of cricket,’ calling out England’s deliberate time-wasting antics. The series hasn’t just moved north geographically—it’s escalated in stakes. England are one win away from clinching it. India, chasing a historic first series win in England since 2007, must win both remaining Tests—a daunting task for a team that’s won just two of their last 11 red-ball matches, a period marked by inconsistency and rebuilding.
Anything can happen—that’s the magic of sport. And this series has gone out of its way to remind us of that, over and over again. We’ve seen run-fests and fiery confrontations, heroes rising, bodies breaking, history being rewritten, and heartbreak that could linger for decades. Manchester might want to stock up on tissues—and trim the couch down to just the edge, because that’s where everyone will be.
Both teams had simpler routes to victory—but their own flaws blocked the way. Still, neither side is letting those missteps define their story. That’s what makes this series so compelling. They’re far from perfect, yet relentlessly driven.
With the series hanging in the balance and injuries pushing players to tap into hidden reserves, Old Trafford could witness yet another unforgettable showdown. Because in sport, anything is possible. That’s its enduring charm—rooted in the unshakable spirit of those who simply refuse to give up.
England vs India 4th Test: Recent Form
England WLWWL (last five Tests, most recent first)
India LWLLL
England vs India 4th Test: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 139
- England Won: 53
- India Won: 36
- Drawn: 50
- First Meeting: 25th to 28th June, 1932
- Last Meeting: 10th July to 14th July, 2025
England vs India 4th Test: Weather Report & Pitch Conditions
Manchester is known for its faster pitches compared to other English grounds. Batsmen who handle the pace well often find good scoring opportunities, though not all adapt easily. Bowlers may benefit from the extra bounce and carry, encouraging them to push hard even with a soft Dukes ball. However, weather could complicate matters, with showers predicted during the opening two days.
Light rain is expected intermittently throughout the five-day match, likely causing some interruptions. Earlier in the season, County matches at this venue featured substantial first-innings totals, the latest of which occurred in May. Given the recent rainfall and anticipated overcast skies, teams might be inclined to bowl first—despite the curious statistic that no side winning the toss and choosing to bowl has ever won a Test at Old Trafford. This presents a strategic conundrum heading into the match.
England vs India 4th Test: Team News and Predicted XI
England – Team News
England have revealed their playing XI, featuring the return of left-arm spinner Liam Dawson to Test cricket after an eight-year absence. Dawson steps in for the injured Shoaib Bashir as the primary spinner.
At 35, Dawson brings valuable left-arm orthodox spin to the bowling lineup, along with significant batting experience, having scored 18 centuries in first-class cricket. This marks his first Test appearance since 2017.
England – Playing XI
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (capt)
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Liam Dawson
- Chris Woakes
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
India – Team News
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep are sidelined due to injuries and won’t feature in this match. This creates an opportunity for B Sai Sudharsan to potentially return, while the third seamer spot remains contested between Prasidh Krishna, who has played twice this series, and Anshul Kamboj, a newcomer to the UK circuit who famously took all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy game last year.
Additionally, if conditions favor seam bowling, there could be a move to bring in Shardul Thakur in place of Washington Sundar to add more pace. Despite these selection dilemmas, Jasprit Bumrah’s place in the squad is assured given the current series situation. With rain expected throughout the Test, the team will also consider whether to include a second spinner. Meanwhile, replacing Nitish Reddy with a specialist batter like Sai Sudharsan raises the strategic question of whether India can afford to lose the all-round capabilities of Washington Sundar for extra seam power.
India – Predicted XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Karun Nair
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar/Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Prasidh Krishna/Anshul Kamboj
- Mohammed Siraj
England vs India 4th Test: Players Under the Spotlight
England – Zak Crawley
Zak Crawley is going through a reflective period in his career. The player who once launched the opening ball of an Ashes series for a boundary is now embracing a more measured approach. His 128 runs in this series have come from 261 deliveries—a style unfamiliar to him but essential for strengthening the team’s defence in this format.
The challenge lies in how Crawley manages this development while facing growing external expectations. Though he played a key role in England’s successful chase of 371 in the first Test, his current series batting average is lower than even that of England’s first-change bowler.
India – Rishabh Pant
Rollercoasters don’t compare to the ups and downs of Rishabh Pant’s journey. His best efforts at Headingley couldn’t secure a win for India, and a well-intentioned mistake in the first innings at Lord’s turned into a crucial turning point. Despite an injured left hand, he fought to make amends in the second innings, but the pain was evident—gripping the bat became a real struggle, and this time, it wasn’t at all amusing.
The eight-day break between matches has given him time to recover, leading to the big question: what can we expect from Pant at Old Trafford—aside from taking penalties with Manchester United?
England vs India 4th Test: Match Prediction
Given the intense battles so far and the fine margins that have defined this series, India heads into the fourth Test at Old Trafford with renewed determination. The eight-day break has allowed key players like Rishabh Pant to recover, while Jasprit Bumrah adds vital firepower to the bowling attack. Shubman Gill’s impressive form and the potential fresh energy from newcomers like B Sai Sudharsan or Anshul Kamboj provide additional momentum.
England’s strong pace attack and home advantage remain significant challenges, but with Liam Dawson’s spin variety and the absence of Shoaib Bashir due to injury, India might find ways to exploit the conditions. Weather interruptions could also play a part, and India’s ability to adapt to the overcast skies and tricky pitch will be crucial.
If India can tighten their defense as Zak Crawley struggles to find consistency, and if their bowlers sustain pressure—especially with Bumrah leading the charge—they have a real shot at turning the tide. While England are favorites on paper with a 2-1 lead, India’s hunger for a historic series win and their resilience suggest they can pull off a vital victory at Old Trafford to level the series and set up a thrilling finale.
When and Where to Watch the England vs India 4th Test LIVE? Live Telecast and Streaming Details
The fourth test match between England and India will be held from Wednesday, July 23-26, with Day 1 starting at 3:30 PM IST. The match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports network, and you can also stream it live on the JioHotstar website and app.
