After an emotionally charged and heart-breakingly narrow defeat at Lord’s, India faces a tough test at Old Trafford with plenty to ponder, especially a range of selection dilemmas. As the series stands delicately poised, all eyes are now on Manchester, a city that may witness an Indian comeback from adversity that could rewrite history at a venue where success has always eluded them.
India’s preparations have been anything but smooth. Injuries have mounted since Lord’s, testing both depth and resolve. All rounder Nitish Reddy, one of the rising stars of this tour, was ruled out after injuring his knee during a gym session. Arshdeep Singh also hurt his left hand during practice, and is unavailable for the fourth Test. Adding to the growing list, Akash Deep was seen walking gingerly during the team’s training a couple of days ago; and on the eve of the match, Shubman Gill confirmed in his press conference that Akash won’t be playing at Old Trafford.
The loss at Lord’s still lingers , just 22 runs separated India from victory , but the bigger challenge now is in assembling a bowling attack capable of countering England’s aggressive batting in overcast Manchester conditions. Shubman Gill, who addressed the media a day before the match, kept the cards close to his chest. Asked pointedly about the team combination, he smiled and mentioned it will be a choice between Prasidh Krishna and Anshul Kamboj, before playfully deflecting further speculation by calling the final XI “a mystery until the toss.”
This quiet hint, however, is enough to spark curiosity. Will Anshul Kamboj, the promising quick who had a fine tour with India A team in England, make his Test debut? Or could India spring a real tactical surprise by unleashing Kuldeep Yadav on a surface known more for its seam and swing than spin?
As I watched from the Media Centre at Old Trafford, there were some subtle clues. Sai Sudharsan was involved in shadow batting despite the intermittent rain and covers on the pitch. It now seems likely that he will return to the XI, which may imply that both Sai and Karun Nair may be a part of the batting line-up or else Nair could face the axe.
The mystery and the intrigue, however, remain around the bowling set-up. With Bumrah leading the attack, and Siraj expected to partner him with the new ball, India might just roll the dice by including Kuldeep to offer variety and attack England through the middle overs, especially if the surface offers any grip as the game progresses.
Historically, Old Trafford offers seam movement early on, but it’s also been known to aid spinners as the game progresses, especially from Day 3 onwards. Footmarks, dry conditions, and an abrasive surface can open up opportunities for turn.
There are famous spinning feats at Old Trafford – Jim Laker’s record 19-wicket haul in 1956 and Shane Warne’s iconic ‘Ball of the Century’ in 1993 both happened here. In more recent times, Nathan Lyon and Moeen Ali have found joy spinning the ball at Old Trafford. For India, Kuldeep Yadav, with his variations, represents an X-factor that could exploit England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, especially targeting the middle order that has shown vulnerability against quality spin.
India has never won a Test at Old Trafford, with a record of nine matches played five draws and four losses. The venue has been an unbreachable fortress for England against India, but recent tours have shown that this Indian team enjoys breaking such narratives, like their famous win at Edgbaston.
Even amidst the selection uncertainties and fitness setbacks, there is a certain buzz in Manchester, especially among the large Indian diaspora. Just a five-minute walk from Old Trafford, at a cozy Indian café, I met Amrit, who recently moved from rural Punjab. Beaming with excitement, he shared, “I’ve never watched a Test live in India, but here I am just walking distance from Old Trafford! I’ll definitely be there to cheer for Team India, this is a dream.”
At Piccadilly Gardens, I encountered a group of Indian students soaking in the summer air. They echoed optimism despite the Lord’s loss. Venky, a student from Salford University, summed it up best, “It could’ve been 3-0 for us if not for some small moments. But we’re alive in the series, and Old Trafford could be where the tables finally turn.”
Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, a local favorite in the City Centre, too was buzzing with cricket conversations. Pavan, an engineering student from Chandigarh, pointed out, “22 runs was nothing at Lord’s. That fightback has shown this team’s character. We’ll bring that energy to Old Trafford.”
Earlier, in grabbing my lunch at Stockport’s Chennai Dosa, amid filter coffee and crispy dosas, I found the same positive energy. Rajesh Reddy, a banker, was optimistic, “Bumrah’s back, and this team knows how to punch back. When we could win in Edgbaston, surely History can also be rewritten at Old Trafford.”
It’s not just the fans who are drawing from the Manchester spirit. Earlier in the week, the Indian team visited Manchester United, meeting the top athletes at the iconic football club. Shubman Gill, in his pre-match interaction, reflected on how invigorating it was to engage with fellow sportspersons. “It’s very motivating to meet players at the top of their game. The atmosphere and the history around Manchester United were inspiring for all of us,” he shared.
This trip to Old Trafford is about more than cricket; it’s about character. The equation is simple- India needs to win to keep the series alive. But if there’s one thing this Indian team has shown, it’s their ability to fight against the odds.
And who knows? Maybe it’s a fitting stage for an Anshul Kamboj debut, a Kuldeep Yadav masterclass, or a Sai Sudharsan statement innings. The clouds loom, the history weighs heavy, but the belief remains unshaken in the players, in the fans dotting Manchester’s lanes, and in every Indian heart awaiting a historic comeback!
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