England won the toss and chose to bowl first against India in the fourth Test of their five-match series at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
Toss and Match Setting in Manchester
England skipper Ben Stokes made the decisive call to field first after winning the toss at Old Trafford. This crucial match marks the fourth encounter in the five-Test series, with both teams eager to gain a significant advantage.
The decision to bowl first suggests England’s belief in exploiting the early conditions at the Manchester venue. With muggy weather predicted, the pitch might offer some assistance to the fast bowlers, setting the stage for an intriguing start.
England’s Confidence and Series Lead
Ben Stokes’ team is riding high on confidence, especially after their thrilling victory at Lord’s in the previous Test. That win allowed them to leapfrog India in the series standings, giving them significant momentum.
England now has a golden opportunity to establish an unassailable lead if they can secure another win here. Their aggressive approach under Stokes continues to pay dividends, making them a formidable opponent.
India’s Challenges and Team Changes
India, on the other hand, is grappling with the aftermath of their recent defeat and a string of injuries that have hampered their preparations. This has forced the team management to make some significant lineup changes for this pivotal match.
Young Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj is on the brink of making a stunning Test debut for India. His inclusion highlights the team’s need to bolster their pace attack in challenging English conditions.
In the batting order, Sai Sudharsan is slated to take the No. 3 spot, replacing Karun Nair. This change aims to provide fresh impetus and stability to India’s top order, which will be under immense pressure to perform.
The Playing Squads for the Fourth Test
Both teams have announced their playing XIs, setting the stage for an intense battle. The selections reflect strategic decisions aimed at maximizing their strengths and exploiting the opposition’s weaknesses in this critical encounter.
India (Playing XI):
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Rishabh Pant (w)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Anshul Kamboj
England (Playing XI):
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jamie Smith (w)
- Liam Dawson
- Chris Woakes
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
- England won the toss and chose to bowl first against India.
- The match is the fourth Test of a five-match series at Old Trafford, Manchester.
- India is managing injuries, leading to a potential debut for Anshul Kamboj and Sai Sudharsan at No. 3.
- England enters the match with high confidence following their recent victory at Lord’s.
The stage is set for an enthralling contest as both teams vie for supremacy in this crucial Test match. Fans can expect a gripping day of cricket as the battle for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy continues.
