๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐
England
India
England will take on India in the fourth Test of the five-match series at Old Trafford, Manchester. England currently lead the series 2-1 after their 22-run win in the third Test at Lordโs, which went down to the final session of the final day. India had earlier levelled the series 1-1 with a record 336-run win at Edgbaston.
India will enter this match with a must-win mindset to stay alive in the series. The team is likely to rethink its combination to strengthen both the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, England will look to seal the series with a win at Manchester.
In the last 5 Test matches between these two teams, India have won 3 while England have won 2. India will need to show the same level of discipline and patience that earned them the Edgbaston win. The momentum in this series has shifted quickly, and this match will be crucial.
Joe Root has scored 857 runs at an average of 53.56 in his last 10 Tests and looked in full control with a century at Lordโs, making him likely to cross 32.5 in the first innings.
The betting tip is...
1st Innings Joe Root Total - Over 32.5
61 %
39 %
EnglandIndiaEngland will likely make just one change for the fourth Test, with Liam Dawson replacing the injured Shoaib Bashir. Dawson will return to the Test side after 8 years and will offer a spin option. Shoaib Bashir had featured in the previous matches and was becoming a key figure in the squad.
Joe Root returned to form with a century at Lordโs and now leads the ICC Test batting rankings. He has scored 857 runs in his last 10 Tests at an average of 53.56. Harry Brook has been Englandโs most consistent batter recently, scoring 1095 runs at an average of 64.41 in the last 10 matches.
Ben Duckett has also impressed, scoring over 900 runs at an average of 50.61. Ollie Pope remains an important middle-order batter. Jofra Archer took 5 wickets in his comeback Test.
Root, Archer and Stokes are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson.
India are likely to miss both Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh for the fourth Test due to injury concerns. Akash Deep has suffered a groin niggle, while Arshdeep Singh hurt his bowling hand during training. Anshul Kamboj has been called up as cover for the final 2 matches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul will continue to open the innings. Rahul had scored a century at Lordโs. Karun Nair may come in at number three, while Shubman Gill looks settled at number four. Ravindra Jadeja played key roles with the bat in both innings at Lordโs and will continue in the lower middle order.
Rishabh Pant may play purely as a batter, with Dhruv Jurel taking over wicketkeeping duties. Jasprit Bumrah will return after taking another five-wicket haul. Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar will support with both ball and bat.
Rahul, Gill and Bumrah are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
England will feel confident going into the fourth Test at Old Trafford with the series in their favour and conditions that suit their strengths. If India bowl first, the new ball could challenge their top order. England will benefit from familiar conditions.
Joe Root returned to form with a century at Lordโs and has looked comfortable once he gets set. He has scored over 850 runs in his last 10 matches at an average of 53.56 and knows how to build an innings in these conditions.
With the pitch at Manchester offering good value for patient strokeplay, Root will likely make another strong contribution early in the match.
