The India vs England 4th Test at Manchester kicked off with England winning the toss and electing to bowl first, putting India under pressure on a must-win occasion. With the series currently standing at 2-1 in favour of England, India need a victory at Old Trafford to keep their hopes alive for a historic Test series win on English soil, their first since 2007.

India’s campaign has been riddled with fitness issues and inconsistent performances. In this fourth Test, Anshul Kamboj has been handed a debut cap, adding a fresh face to the squad that has already been forced to sideline Akash Deep, Nitish Reddy, and Arshdeep Singh due to injuries.

Shubman Gill, captaining the Indian side, faces a daunting challenge to lift his team’s morale and performance. The decision to include Kamboj signals a reshuffle in India’s bowling composition, especially as Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management continues to dominate discussions around team selection.

Despite the setbacks, India are not without fight. Analysts and fans alike believe that the scoreline could well have been 2-1 in India’s favour had they maintained composure at critical junctures in the Lord’s Test.

Match Context: Why This Test Matters

India’s record at Old Trafford, Manchester, has been less than impressive in recent years, but the team has often shown resilience under pressure. With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line, the team is expected to bring its best effort. The Indian camp is also well aware that even a draw will hand the series to England, thus raising the stakes further.

The Return of Experience and Rise of Youth

The squad features a blend of experience and youth:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul continue to form the top order alongside the returning Karun Nair.

• Rishabh Pant is back behind the stumps, providing explosive options in the middle order.

• Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar add versatility with both bat and ball.

• Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna offer additional pace and spin options.

• Dhruv Jurel and Sai Sudharsan round off a squad that’s searching for the right balance.

With Jasprit Bumrah still under scrutiny for workload, India may tread cautiously with his spells, banking instead on Mohammed Siraj and debutant Anshul Kamboj to share the pace load.

England’s Consistent Line-Up and Tactical Bowling Decision

England’s captain Ben Stokes won the toss and immediately opted to bowl, likely influenced by pitch conditions at Old Trafford, which traditionally aids early seam movement. The team’s top order—Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Harry Brook—has provided consistent starts, giving them a psychological advantage.

The bowling unit includes the likes of Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tongue, all known for exploiting early morning English conditions. With Jamie Smith keeping wickets and Liam Dawson as the all-rounder, England’s line-up looks formidable.

Full Squads:

India Squad:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel

England Squad:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell

Strategic Considerations for India

India’s selection today shows that they are still trying to find their best XI for English conditions. While Shubman Gill’s leadership is under the microscope, much also depends on senior pros like Jadeja, Bumrah, and Pant to guide younger teammates.

Given India’s middle-order collapse in earlier Tests, the responsibility now falls on Pant, Jadeja, and Sundar to form a solid bridge between the top and lower orders. The inclusion of Anshul Kamboj hints at a long-term investment but also adds unpredictability for England’s batters.

What Can Be Expected from Day 1?

• Opening session will be crucial. If India can survive the initial swing and seam, they can set a foundation.

• England’s pacers will look to take advantage of the early moisture.

• Run scoring may be slow, but patience will be key.

Conclusion

India's start to the 4th Test of the 2025 series has already sparked interest with strategic team changes and the pressure of series survival. The decision to field Anshul Kamboj shows intent to experiment and trust in new talent, while England’s decision to bowl first at home is a calculated move to keep their winning momentum.

As Day 1 unfolds, all eyes will be on whether India can rise to the challenge, or if England continues its dominance to wrap up the series.

The match has begun with high stakes, uncertain weather, and an electric atmosphere at Manchester—setting the stage for what could be a defining moment in Indian cricket history.

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