India and England are set to clash in the crucial 4th Test of the five-match series at Old Trafford, starting July 23. With England leading 2–1, the visitors must win to stay alive in the contest. Here’s a full preview of the match, including pitch report, weather, key players, and predicted XIs.
Match Snapshot
- Fixture: 4th Test, India Tour of England 2025
- Dates: July 23 to July 27
- Time: 3:30 PM IST | 11:00 AM Local
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Series Scoreline: England lead 2–1
Where to Watch
- TV Broadcast (India): Sports18
- Digital Streaming: JioCinema, JioTV (Free with Jio SIM)
- In the UK: Sky Sports Cricket
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Tests Played: 139
- India Wins: 36
- England Wins: 53
- Draws: 50
- India trail historically, but recent form shows a tighter contest than the numbers suggest.
Pitch & Weather Outlook
- Surface: The Old Trafford wicket is known for offering early movement, then gradually assisting spin from Day 3 onward.
- Weather Forecast: Expect mild interruptions with light showers predicted, especially on Days 2 and 4. Temperatures will hover around 14–19°C.
Likely Playing XIs
- India (Probable): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (C), Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant/ Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
- England (Probable) – Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer
Form Watch & Talking Points
- India’s middle-order reshuffle and Bumrah’s fitness will be under scrutiny.
- England’s aggressive “Bazball” style continues to challenge visiting teams.
- Shubman Gill’s captaincy maturity has impressed, but he’ll need support from senior players.
Key Players to Watch
- India: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul
- England: Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer
Match Prediction: Who Has the Edge?
India’s fighting spirit was on display in the third Test, and with a few tactical changes, they’re well-positioned to level the series. England, however, remains dangerous at home. Verdict: A closely contested battle, but India might just edge ahead if Bumrah and Jadeja fire together.
Written by RITESH SINGH
