MANCHESTER (Kashmir English): The fourth Test between England and India (Eng vs Ind) begins in Manchester on Wednesday, with the English team leading the series 2-1.
The sword of losing the series is hanging over India’s head, in case of victory, the host team will gain a decisive lead in the 5-match series one match ahead.
Liam Dawson is returning to the English team after 8 years, on the other hand, the Indian side will need a victory to stay in the series.
However, the Indian team, which is in England for the five-Test series, is facing serious injury problems as the Indian Test team captain Shubman Gill confirmed that fast bowler Akash deep will not be part of the playing XI for the fourth Test scheduled at Old Trafford due to a groin injury, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the entire series.
For the fourth Test starting on Wednesday, the team management will have to choose between Prasad Krishna and Anshul Kamboj as the third pacer. Pacer Anshul Kamboj is likely to make his debut. However, Shardul Thakur can also be made a part of the playing XI.
Notably, England has a 1-2 lead in the five-match series after the victory in the Lord’s Test. England defeated India by 22 runs in a hard-fought third Test to take a 1-2 lead in the series.
Earlier, in the third teat match, Ravindra Jadeja’s resistance from India continued until after the tea break on the final day. However, he could not guide Team India to victory despite an unbeaten 61 runs.
On the fifth day, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul started the game at 58 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, India needed 135 runs and England 6 wickets to win.
Rishabh Pant was dismissed for 9 runs, after which KL Rahul also returned to the pavilion for 39 runs, Washington Sundar was dismissed without opening his account, Nitish Kumar Reddy could score 13 runs.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj scored 5 runs off 54 balls and 4 runs off 30 balls respectively, putting up a good fight in the ninth and tenth wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja. But the resistance died 22 runs short of victory.
For England, captain Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer took 3 wickets each. Brydon Carse took 2 wickets and Shoaib Bashir and Chris Woakes took 1 wicket each.
