Key Points
- India trails England 1-2 after a narrow 22-run defeat at Lord’s; must win at Old Trafford to keep series hopes alive.
- Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s No. 1 Test bowler, is expected to be rested for workload management Arshdeep Singh may debut in his place.
- Rishabh Pant’s finger injury puts his availability in doubt; Dhruv Jurel prepared to step in as wicketkeeper-batter.
- Karun Nair’s spot under threat due to poor batting form; Sai Sudharsan could return to the XI after missing the previous two matches.
- Fourth Test of India vs England series set for July 23–27 at Old Trafford, Manchester; series finale at The Oval follows July 31–August 4.
New Delhi: After suffering a gut-wrenching 22-run defeat at Lord’s, the Indian men’s cricket team faces a must-win scenario in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting July 23. India trails England 1-2 in the high-stakes five-match series, intensifying pressure on the team management to get selection and strategy right for a series-leveling performance.
Selection Watch: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
Bumrah Set for Rest, Arshdeep or Akash Deep in the Mix
- Jasprit Bumrah is set for a precautionary rest as part of a pre-agreed workload plan. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Shubman Gill have all hinted at this rotation to keep the ace pacer fresh for the series-deciding Oval Test.
- Arshdeep Singh, known for his swing and left-arm pace, is the leading candidate to replace Bumrah in the XI, potentially making his Test debut in English conditions.
- Akash Deep, despite picking up only one wicket in the previous Test, could retain his place if team management opts for continuity in the pace attack.
Pant Injury Opens the Door for Jurel
- Rishabh Pant’s status is uncertain after the Lord’s finger injury forced him off from keeping duties after just 34 overs. Medical staff are monitoring his progress, but Dhruv Jurel is already pegged as the probable replacement.
- Dhruv Jurel, the 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Agra, impressed behind the stumps in the previous outing and has scored 202 runs in six innings over four Tests, boasting a top score of 90 against England in Ranchi last year.
Nair Under Pressure, Sudharsan May Return
- Karun Nair faces the axe after disappointing outings with the bat in all three Tests so far.
- Sai Sudharsan, who featured in the first Test at Leeds but has since been benched, is tipped to reclaim his spot and bolster India’s top order.
Potential Indian XI for the Fourth Test
| Position | Player (Likely) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Openers | Shubman Gill (C) | Captain; key run-scorer |
| Sai Sudharsan | Expected to return | |
| Middle Order | Yashasvi Jaiswal | In good form |
| Karun Nair/Kuldeep Yadav | If Nair is dropped, Kuldeep or an extra all-rounder might slot in | |
| Wicketkeeper | Dhruv Jurel | Replaces injured Pant |
| All-rounders | Ravindra Jadeja | Confirmed |
| Seamers | Akash Deep | Retains spot if Bumrah rests |
| Arshdeep Singh | Likely Test debut | |
| Shardul Thakur/Prasidh Krishna | One of them may support the pace attack | |
| Spinner | Kuldeep Yadav | Included if extra variety needed |
Key Squad Depth
- Extra Seamers: Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur
- Backup Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
- Bench Options: Karun Nair (if not selected), reserve keepers
What’s at Stake?
India must win at Old Trafford to avoid conceding the series ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval (July 31–August 4). England, buoyed by home advantage and red-hot form, are aiming to clinch the series before the decider.
With two of India’s stars Bumrah and Pant set to miss the crucial Manchester Test, the visitors face a stern challenge to level the series. The management’s rotation policy, fresh faces like Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sudharsan, and the battle-hardened core will be under the spotlight as India looks to script a dramatic comeback.
