INDIA vs ENGLAND 4th Test Match Preview | Predicted Lineups | And Interesting Facts

My Preview of the India vs England 4th Test Match – A Must-Win Clash at Old Trafford!

Hey cricket fans, it’s me, back with my take on the upcoming 4th Test match between India and England, kicking off today, July 23, 2025, at Old Trafford, Manchester. As an Indian cricket fan, my heart’s racing because this is a do-or-die moment for our team in this five-match series, with England leading 2-1. I’ve been following all the updates, injuries, and pitch talks, and here’s my preview of what promises to be an epic clash. Let’s dive into the details, including my thoughts on the teams, key battles, and some cool facts about this high-stakes game!

The Big Picture: Why This Match Matters

The series has been a rollercoaster so far. England won the first Test at Headingley by 5 wickets and the third at Lord’s by 22 runs, but India hit back hard with a massive 336-run victory in the second Test at Edgbaston. Now, with England one win away from sealing the series, India needs to win this 4th Test to stay alive and keep our dream of winning a Test series in England for the first time since 2007 alive. This match, part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship, is not just about pride—it’s about those crucial WTC points too!

As I see it, India’s fighting spirit and England’s aggressive Bazball approach will make this a thriller. But with injuries hitting us hard and some rain expected in Manchester, it’s going to be a tough battle. Let’s break it down.

India’s Team: My Thoughts on the Lineup

Our squad is dealing with some serious injury setbacks, and I’ve been keeping a close eye on the updates. Nitish Kumar Reddy is out of the series with a knee injury, Arshdeep Singh is missing this Test due to a thumb issue, and Akash Deep is sidelined with a groin injury. There’s also uncertainty about Rishabh Pant’s fitness—can he play as a batter if he’s not fit to keep? And then there’s Jasprit Bumrah as much as I’m worried about his workload management, but I strongly believe he should play this game and even the last one if we win here. We can’t afford to rest our best bowler in a must-win match!

Here’s my proposed India XI, based on what I think will work best:

Openers - Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. I’m sticking with these two. Yashasvi’s had a dip lately, but he’s got a century and a fifty in this series, so I’m backing him to come good. KL Rahul has been super consistent, and I love his calm approach at the top.

Number 3 - Karun Nair  There’s a big question about whether Karun should get another chance. I think we should give him one more match—it might be his last shot to prove himself.

Number 4 : Shubman Gill (captain). Our young skipper has been in great form (844 runs in 8 matches, averaging 56.27), and I expect him to lead from the front.

Number 5 - Rishabh Pant If he’s not fit to keep, I’d play him as a pure batter. His form is too good to leave out, and we need his aggressive style in the middle.

Number 6- Dhruv JurelIf Pant plays as a batter, Jurel can take the gloves. His batting against England Lions was solid, so I’m excited to see him step up.

All-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Jadeja’s a no-brainer for his spin and batting, while Sundar’s four-wicket haul in the last game makes him a must-pick.

Bowlers- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Anshul Kamboj. With Arshdeep and Akash Deep out, I think Anshul Kamboj could make his debut. He’s a 24-year-old pacer who knows his game plans, and I’m curious to see him in action. If Bumrah’s rested (which I hope he isn’t!), Prasidh Krishna might get the nod. I’d also consider Kuldeep Yadav if the pitch starts turning later, but for now, I’m going with three pacers and two spinners for balance.

This lineup gives us five bowlers—two spinners and three pacers—which I think is perfect for Old Trafford’s conditions. My biggest concern is Bumrah’s workload. I get that the team wants to manage him, but this is a must-win game, and we need our star pacer firing!

England’s Team: What I’m Expecting

England announced their XI a couple of days ago, and they look strong. They’ve made one change, with Liam Dawson coming in for Shoaib Bashir, who’s out with a fractured finger. 

Here’s their lineup:

-Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett (openers)

- Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook (batsmen)

- Ben Stokes(captain & all-rounder)

- Jamie Smith(wicketkeeper)

- Liam Dawson (all-rounder)

- Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer (pacers)

England’s batting is scary good, with Joe Root (857 runs in 10 matches, avg 53.56) and Harry Brook (1095 runs in 10 matches, avg 64.41) in top form. Ben Stokes is their X-factor—his leadership and all-round skills (3-48 in the last Test) make him a huge threat. Jofra Archer’s return is a big deal, especially since today marks the sixth anniversary of England’s 2019 World Cup win, where he was a hero. His pace could trouble our batsmen on this pitch.

Key Battles to Watch

Here are the match-ups I’m most excited about:

1. Jasprit Bumrah vs Joe Root: Bumrah’s got Root’s number in the past, and this battle could decide if England builds a big total. Bumrah’s 5-74 in the last Test shows he’s in form.

2. Shubman Gill vs Jofra Archer : As captain, Gill needs to lead by example, but Archer could test him early. I’m backing Gill to play smart.

3. Ravindra Jadeja vs Ben Stokes: This all-rounder clash is going to be epic. Jadeja’s spin could trap Stokes, but Stokes can turn the game with bat or ball.

These battles will set the tone for the match, and I’ll be glued to my screen watching them unfold!

Pitch and Weather: What’s in Store?

The Old Trafford pitch is known for helping fast bowlers early on, with swing and seam movement. I’ve heard there’s been significant rain in Manchester, so the pitch has been under covers for a while, which might make it even spicier for pacers like Bumrah and Archer. By Day 3, it could start turning, which is why I’m tempted to include Kuldeep alongside Jadeja and Sundar.

The weather’s a big worry, though. Light rain is expected over the next five days, especially on Days 2 and 4, which could lead to lost overs. With temperatures around 14–19°C, it’ll be chilly, and I’m hoping the rain doesn’t ruin India’s chances of pushing for a win. We need a full game to level the series!

Cool Facts About the Match

Here are some interesting tidbits I found:

- Old Trafford’s History: This ground hasn’t seen a drawn Test since 1974! That means we’re almost guaranteed a result, which is great for the series but adds pressure on India.

- India’s Drought: We haven’t won a Test series in England since 2007. A win here could set us up to end that 18-year wait.

- Gill’s Milestone : At 25, Shubman Gill is India’s youngest Test captain in the 21st century. I’m rooting for him to shine in this high-pressure game.

- Archer’s Anniversary: Today’s the sixth anniversary of England’s 2019 World Cup win, and Jofra Archer’s return feels like perfect timing for England.

- Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy : This series has extra prestige, and I’d love for India to lift it by winning the next two games.

My Final Thoughts

As an Indian fan, I’m nervous but hopeful. Our team’s been hit hard by injuries, but I believe in Shubman Gill’s leadership and the firepower of Bumrah, Pant, and Jadeja. England’s batting and pace attack are strong, but if our top order—Jaiswal, Rahul, and Gill—can handle Anderson and Archer, we’ve got a shot. The rain might play spoilsport, but I’m praying for enough playtime to get a result. This is a must-win for India, and I’m backing our boys to fight hard and level the series at 2-2.

What do you guys think? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s cheer for Team India! 🇮🇳

------

Follow me on twitter (X) for more, of the same relevant content on Tech, Cinema, Football, Cricket n' a lot more - 

https://x.com/patelritiq?t=eVSL1qRxUalMJ-HXuFw_5w&s=09