Manchester: India have never won a Test match at Old Trafford. In nine attempts at this historic ground, they have suffered four defeats and managed five draws, a stark record that casts a long shadow over their hopes of leveling the ongoing series against England.
Now, with England leading the five-match series 2-1, the fourth Test beginning here from Wednesday becomes a must-win for Shubman Gill’s men. The stage is set, the stakes are massive, and the ghosts of the past loom large.
India’s challenge is steepened by the fortress-like nature of Old Trafford for the hosts. England have lost just twice at the venue since 2000, turning it into one of their most dependable strongholds. Yet, if India are to keep the series alive, they must script an Edgbaston-style upset in Manchester — an act of defiance against both current form and historical odds.
The dramatic win at Lord’s handed England the series lead in emphatic style. It was a match brimming with tension — tempers flared, sledges flew, and on the final day, under immense pressure, England held their nerve to edge out a spirited India side. While Headingley saw India fight hard in defeat and Edgbaston provided a quieter background, it was at Lord’s that emotions boiled over and the cricket turned into theatre.
Despite the heartbreak, there is little time for reflection. India must regroup quickly. However, they do so without two key pacers — Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy — putting the burden squarely on Jasprit Bumrah’s shoulders once again. The spearhead will have to be the X-factor, especially given the favorable bowling conditions in Manchester.
KL Rahul, one of the batting mainstays this series, continues to impress. Rishabh Pant, who took a painful blow to the finger earlier, might return as a specialist batsman, while young Dhruv Jurel is likely to take up the wicketkeeping gloves.
England, on the other hand, were buoyed by Jofra Archer’s impactful return at Lord’s. However, spinner Shoaib Bashir’s injury now leaves a void in the spin department, which may be filled by Liam Dawson or Jack Leach.
India’s strongest resistance has come from Ravindra Jadeja, who has quietly built an extraordinary run of four consecutive half-centuries in the series. He nearly pulled off a miracle at Lord’s and has added vital lower-order strength to India’s fight. His form remains India’s biggest asset heading into the fourth Test.
And then there's Joe Root — the ever-dependable England stalwart. With 37 Test hundreds to his name, Root recently became the first batsman in history to score 3,000 Test runs against India. He’s also on the verge of reaching 1,000 runs at Old Trafford alone, making him England’s most dangerous man at the venue.
While India's pacers have shone — often outbowling their English counterparts — the same cannot be said for the hosts. Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes have a combined total of just 15 wickets between them in the series, with expensive averages of 48 and 56 respectively. This disparity could prove decisive if India’s attack maintains its intensity.
Interestingly, despite trailing 2-1, many believe India have played the better cricket overall — fighting hard, dominating passages of play, and pushing England to the brink in every Test. They have shown resilience and bounce-back ability before, and fans will hope for one more stirring comeback to force a decider at The Oval.
With the first three Tests decided on the final day and packed with drama, anticipation is high for another memorable chapter in this riveting series. It all begins at Old Trafford from Wednesday, where India aim to rewrite history, and England look to seal it.
