England vs India 4th Test Preview | July 23, 2025 | Old Trafford, Manchester

The fourth Test of the 2025 India vs England Test series is set to take place at the iconic Old Trafford in Manchester, starting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 11:00 GMT. As the series heads into its pivotal stage, both teams will be keen to assert dominance on a surface that has historically favored early batting and then tightened up from the third day onwards.

This match not only holds the potential to shift the series' momentum but also features one of the most anticipated milestones in Indian cricket — KL Rahul's quest to reach 9,000 international runs across all formats.

Key Match Information

• Match: India vs England – 4th Test
• Date: July 23, 2025
• Time: 11:00 GMT / 3:30 PM IST
• Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
• Series Status: England lead 1-0

Pitch and Conditions

Old Trafford is known for its balanced yet testing conditions, with the pitch typically offering good carry and bounce in the first two days. Spin and reverse swing have played a role in recent Tests, especially as the game progresses. The average first innings score at this venue is 331, and the team batting first has a historical edge in converting their total into a win. However, with a slight chance of rain and temperatures hovering around 13-19°C, conditions could add a layer of unpredictability.

Player Milestones and Key Match-ups

KL Rahul – On the Brink of 9,000 International Runs

KL Rahul is just 60 runs away from reaching 9,000 international runs in 218 matches across all formats. His performance in the series so far has been stellar, with 375 runs at an average of 62.50, including two centuries and a fifty. In 12 Tests in England, Rahul has scored 989 runs at 41.20, with four centuries. Nine of his 10 Test centuries have come away from home, making this a perfect stage for a historic achievement.

Shubman Gill – The New Captain

With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, Shubman Gill has taken over the captaincy. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has praised Gill’s leadership, noting his blend of Kohli’s intensity and Dhoni’s calmness. With a potential move to No. 4, Gill could be entering a new phase of his Test career, as suggested by Deep Dasgupta, who believes this tour could be a "rebirth" for the young captain.

India vs England Head-to-Head

• Total Tests: 139
• India Wins: 36
• England Wins: 53
• Draws: 50

Despite a historically stronger record for England, India will be encouraged by their recent performances and the current form of their batting and bowling units.

Probable Playing XIs

India (11):

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharshan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

• Notable Inclusions: Sai Sudharshan and Anshul Kamboj continue to impress, with the latter offering all-round options.
• Injuries: Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are sidelined. Rishabh Pant is also recovering.

England (11):

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Jofra Archer

• Key Players: Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Stokes will be crucial for England's batting.
• Bowling Options: Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse (absent in this XI) are expected to be key.

Match Prediction and Key Performers

Score Prediction

• First Innings Target: 340-350
• Winning Margin: 10-20 runs in favor of the side batting first

Key Performers to Watch

India:

• Batsmen: KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

England:

• Batsmen: Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith
• Bowlers: Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse

Captaincy Watch

• Shubman Gill will be tested as a captain, with the series finely poised and the pressure mounting. His leadership style and decisions will be pivotal.
• Ben Stokes remains England’s lynchpin and could be the difference-maker with his all-round contributions.

Conclusion

The fourth Test at Old Trafford promises to be a thrilling encounter, with KL Rahul's milestone and Shubman Gill's captaincy adding layers of intrigue. India will enter the match as slight favorites, buoyed by their recent form and the potential of their young core. England, however, will be determined to maintain their series lead and capitalize on the home advantage.

As the series reaches its climax, the battle between Rahul and Root, Gill and Stokes, and the respective bowling attacks will define the outcome of this crucial Test.

Prediction: India to win the 4th Test by 15 runs.
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