With England holding a narrow 2–1 lead, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown when they take on India in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, starting Wednesday (July 23). A win for the hosts would seal the series, while India will look to bounce back to stay alive and push for a decider. After three intense encounters filled with individual brilliance and fiery exchanges, all eyes are now on Manchester, where momentum, pressure, and history are set to collide in what could be the most pivotal match of the tour.
Pitch report
Old Trafford has transitioned from its traditionally bouncy surface to a slower, flatter wicket in recent years. However, the presence of a greenish tinge – due to recent rain – might offer early seam movement, potentially aiding pacers on the opening days.
Weather report
Expect some light showers early on Day 1, but conditions appear to brighten from Day 2 onwards.
England vs India squads
England: Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
India: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj
Top players
Shubman Gill: The young Indian skipper is under the spotlight not just for his captaincy, but also his batting form. And so far, he has responded well. With over 600 runs in six innings so far, Gill has risen to the task with relative ease. But his technique against swing and pace will be further tested in overcast Manchester conditions.
Joe Root: England’s most technically sound batter, Root, brings calm to chaos. His record against India is outstanding, and he thrives in pressure situations. Whether it’s navigating tough spells or anchoring long innings, Root is the backbone of England's batting.
Jasprit Bumrah: His ability to bowl reverse swing and execute toe-crushing yorkers could be pivotal, especially if the pitch starts to wear. His performance could be the deciding factor in India's fightback.
Jofra Archer: Back in the squad and firing, Archer brings pace, hostility, and sharp bouncers. On a surface with variable bounce like Old Trafford, he’s expected to be lethal, particularly with the new ball or during reverse swing spells.
England vs India head-to-head
In Test cricket overall, England leads 53–36 with 50 draws out of 139 matches. At Old Trafford, England have never lost to India in nine encounters (four wins, five draws), history backing the hosts.
Prediction
England look well-placed to wrap up the series at home, with key players in form and no losses yet at Old Trafford. But India’s momentum, passion, and Bumrah’s return can't be underestimated. Expect a hard-fought contest, though the home advantage gives England a narrow edge.
