Pace Makes Space: India’s Lean Bowling Lineup Ready to Bowl Over England at Old Trafford

The much-awaited fourth Test of the England-India series gets underway on July 23, 2025, at Manchester's Old Trafford, where India faces an uphill task with a pacer-short team against a formidable England squad. The match, set to be played from July 23 to 27, is a make-or-break one in the series following England's close win at Lord's in the third Test.

 

Key Highlights: India's Tactical Challenge

 

India goes into the competition struggling with scant pace bowling options through injury and form and will have to bank on their spin resources and part-time pacers to plug gaps.

 

The team's emphasis is on resilience and resilience, hoping to "dig deep" to thwart England's strong bowling attack and take advantage of batting chances in spite of seamers' shortage.

 

England, led by Ben Stokes, has made a significant squad addition in naming experienced left-arm spinner Liam Dawson for the first time in 2017, as a replacement for the injured Shoaib Bashir, in an effort to take advantage of Old Trafford's historically seam-friendly but spin-friendly conditions.

 

England seamers Sam Cook and Jamie Overton have been rested from county matches, a sign of planned rotation in the lead-up to the Test.

 

The Indian batting order consists of crucial players such as Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, with the challenge of dealing with England's diverse bowling attack on England's pitches.

 

Match timing is conventional with play commencing at 11 a.m. local time, with scheduled breaks with lunch taken at 1 p.m. and tea at 3:40 p.m.

 

Outlook

 

With India's injury crisis in the fast bowling department, the Test will be a test of the team's versatility, mental strength, and the spinners' potential to take control. The series is at a pivotal point with India looking to square the series and regain momentum.

 

Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Cricket World, SportsMint Media