Manchester: With the series delicately poised at 2-1 in England’s favour, both teams made crucial changes ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
India, grappling with a string of injuries to key players, made three changes to their XI, while England opted for a solitary but significant switch.
India’s lineup saw a substantial shuffle as they responded to both injuries and tactical needs.
The most notable move was the inclusion of 24-year-old Anshul Kamboj, who was handed his Test cap amid a fast-bowling crisis. Kamboj, who impressed in the unofficial Tests against England Lions earlier this year, replaces the injured Akash Deep and becomes the latest face in India’s fast-bowling transition.
Joining him in the side are Shardul Thakur, who replaces the injured Nitish Reddy, and Sai Sudharsan, who slots in for Karun Nair. Sudharsan, a stylish left-hander, adds freshness to the top order. With the surface expected to offer bounce and the overcast conditions aiding seamers, India’s choices reflect both necessity and adaptation.
"Some tough calls had to be made," said India captain Shubman Gill. "But the energy these young guys bring is exciting. The series has tested us physically and mentally, and now it’s about bouncing back with belief."
In contrast, England’s only change was a pragmatic one. Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson returned to the Test setup after eight years, replacing the injured Shoaib Bashir. Dawson, known for his control and lower-order contributions, gives England a reliable option as they look to wrap up the series on home turf.
Captain Ben Stokes explained the move: “We’ve got firm conditions with some grass, so Dawson’s ability to bowl long spells and contribute with the bat is key. It’s been a draining series, but this team has shown character.”
Winning the toss, Stokes opted to bowl first under grey skies, a decision influenced by the overhead conditions. Interestingly, no team has ever won a Test at Old Trafford after choosing to field first — a historical quirk Stokes brushed aside, focusing instead on present-day match-ups and strategy.
Despite a prediction of intermittent rain, the pitch — with visible grass — promises assistance to bowlers early on. But as former England captain Michael Atherton noted in the pitch report, "All four County games here this year have ended in draws. For a result, teams will have to push hard."
India’s trio of changes comes against the backdrop of an evolving fast-bowling landscape. With multiple frontline seamers injured — Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Reddy — the burden now shifts to veterans Bumrah and Siraj, alongside the debutant Kamboj. The churn in the pace attack highlights a deeper concern: India’s transition phase in red-ball bowling needs clarity and long-term vision.
Teams
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
With the series narrative heating up, and with Shubman Gill already stoking the fire by calling out England’s delay tactics at Lord’s, the fourth Test promises high drama — on the pitch and beyond. The question now is whether India’s new-look XI can rise to the occasion and level the series.
