Ben Stokes is clearly on a toss-winning streak, but will luck hold as England aims to seal the series? For the fourth straight time in the 2025 test series, the England skipper called it right and chose to bowl first at Old Trafford, Manchester—a decision loaded with strategy and confidence after a tense win at Lord’s.

But it’s not just England making headlines. India has reshuffled its squad in a bold move that includes a test debut for Anshul Kamboj, a promising pacer who replaces Akash Deep. Also coming in are Sai Sudharsan in place of Karun Nair, and Shardul Thakur, who replaces Nitish Reddy. It’s a statement of both urgency and faith in youth as India trails 2-1 in the five-match series.

England’s Strategy: Spin and Firepower

England, who had already announced their playing XI, made just one change. The return of Liam Dawson to test cricket after eight years adds spin depth in place of the injured Shoaib Bashir. Dawson’s last test appearance dates back to 2017, and his inclusion speaks volumes about England’s search for experience under pressure.

Jofra Archer leads the pace attack, supported by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, while Joe Root and Harry Brook form the batting backbone.

Full England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.

India’s Firepower: Fresh Blood and Fresh Energy

The spotlight today is firmly on Anshul Kamboj, a 24-year-old from Haryana who has been generating buzz in domestic cricket. His raw pace could offer India an X-factor on Manchester’s green pitch.

Shubman Gill, now leading India, did not hold back his frustration over England’s conduct in the previous test. He publicly criticized England’s tactics at Lord’s, accusing them of going against the “spirit of the game.” Specifically, he targeted Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett for delaying their arrival to the crease, which disrupted momentum and sparked heated debate.

India’s new XI also sees the return of Washington Sundar, offering batting depth and spin support. All eyes will also be on the dependable Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to lead the pace attack.

Full India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Lokesh Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

A win here for England means series victory, while India must win to stay alive and push the series to a decider. The Old Trafford pitch has a reputation for supporting both seam and spin, making the decision to bowl first a gamble that could either clinch the series or crack it wide open.

Fans are also expecting Rishabh Pant to unleash his trademark counterattack, while the form of senior pros like Ravindra Jadeja will be crucial.

And don’t forget, the fiery atmosphere from Lord’s is still hanging in the air. Expect tempers, tactics, and maybe even a touch of controversy.

The Bigger Picture

With the World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake, this match could shape future playoff scenarios. More than just a match, it’s a narrative of redemption, rivalry, and resilience. If England pulls this off, they rewrite their post-Ashes narrative. If India fights back, it reignites the fire of a series that has already delivered drama, tension, and world-class cricket With emotions still raw from the Lord’s drama, the 4th Test promises fireworks both on and off the field. As the series tilts on a knife’s edge, every session from here could be a defining one.
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