The Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy is heating up as India and England gear up for a high-stakes fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. With England leading 2-1 in the five-match series after a narrow 22-run win at Lord’s, this Test, beginning July 23, 2025, becomes a must-win for India if they want to stay alive in the series.
The match is part of the ongoing 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle and starts at 3:30 PM IST (11:00 AM local time).
India vs England: Match Overview
England snatched a dramatic win at Lord’s, defending a modest 193-run target thanks to their disciplined bowling and some erratic stroke-making from the Indian top order. Ravindra Jadeja put up a valiant fight, but England edged past Siraj to deal a dramatic win. Jofra Archer is back in the side and has already made the difference while Liam Dawson has replaced the injured Shoaib Bashir.
India, on the other hand, are reeling from a loss they should have won. Injuries to key fast bowlers – Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh – pose a serious concern. However, there are reports that Jasprit Bumrah is available for this match with the series on the line. Batting reinforcements like Karun Nair and spin options such as Kuldeep Yadav might come into play, especially on a pitch that could offer turn in later stages.
Match Details
- Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- Date & Time: July 23–27, 2025, 3:30 PM IST
- Weather Forecast: Overcast with intermittent rain, 19–21°C
- Pitch Report: Offers bounce and pace early, turns as the match progresses
- Average 1st Innings Score: 295
- Chasing Record: Teams batting second have won 40% of Tests here
Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 138
- England Wins: 53
- India Wins: 36
- Draws: 49
Predicted XIs for India vs England
India:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill ©, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah,
England:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes ©, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
India vs England: Key Players and Fantasy Picks
Top Captaincy Choices
- Shubman Gill: Has shown composure under pressure and is vital to India’s top order.
- Ollie Pope: Technically sound and has been consistent at No. 3 for England.
Strong Vice-Captaincy Options
- Ben Stokes: Match-winner with both bat and ball, especially in tough conditions.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Offers points with bat, ball, and fielding; must-have all-rounder.
Budget Picks
- Liam Dawson: Handy lower-order batsman and effective spinner, ideal for Manchester.
- Mohammed Siraj: Key pacer for India in the absence of Akash Deep, good with the old ball in the second spell.
Players to Avoid
- Zak Crawley: Inconsistent at the top and often struggles against swing.
India vs England Fantasy Team Picks
Team 1:
Keepers: Rishabh Pant, Jamie Smith
Batters: Shubman Gill (c), Ollie Pope, KL Rahul, Joe Root
All-rounders: Ben Stokes (vc), Ravindra Jadeja
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Liam Dawson, Mohammed Siraj
Team 2:
Keepers: Dhruv Jurel
Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Harry Brook (vc), Ben Duckett
All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja (c)
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Shardul Thakur
Strategy and Tips
- With the Old Trafford pitch offering turn later, spinners like Washington Sundar and Liam Dawson could prove decisive.
- Invest in top-order batters – especially those comfortable against the new ball.
- Overcast conditions could give pacers a big edge early on – pick swing bowlers smartly.
Who are the favourites?
With England ahead 2-1, they’ll aim to seal the series in Manchester. But India, with their backs to the wall, could mount a strong comeback if Jasprit Bumrah hits his straps and the top order finds runs after the loss at Lord’s. Expect a gritty contest that could go down to Day 5. The toss and weather might play a crucial role in deciding the balance early on.
