We have an interesting two-test match ahead in the India vs England 2025 test series. The next stop is IND vs ENG Manchester, and there will be a lot of changes expected in the Indian team after a few injury concerns. On the other hand, we might also see some changes in the England team as they also need to rethink the problems they have faced in this series. Today, we will preview the IND vs ENG Manchester test. It will include the expected playing XI of both teams, pitch and weather report, players to watch out for, key battles, and more. So let’s begin.
IND vs ENG Manchester Test 2025 Preview
The next test between India and England will take place at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. Team India, despite playing some good cricket in the series, is behind 2-1 with two tests still to play. That means, if they lose another, they cannot win the series. They failed to defend 371 in the 4th inning of the first test. Then they made a strong comeback and went on to win the 2nd test. But, despite dominating for most of the test, they lost the test by just 22 runs in the end.
Now, Team India will expect the team to be up and running, as this might be the last chance for them to be in the series. The IND vs ENG Manchester test will bring a new challenge for them, along with some injury concerns. Let us now see the expected playing XI of both teams
IND vs ENG Manchester Test 2025 Expected Playing XIs
India
Team India will have to take some calls before the IND vs ENG Manchester test as far as the playing XI is concerned. We are expecting Jasprit Bumrah to play, with the series on the line, and enough gap between the 3rd and the 4th test. There are reports that Rishabh Pant might play only as a pure batter. He was hit on the hands during the Lord’s Test. It will help Dhruv Jurel to find a place in the playing XI.
As far as the bowling unit is concerned, Mohammad Siraj is a fighter and never asks for workload management. So he will be in the team along with Bumrah. Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh are not fit, as per the media reports. So Anshul Kamboj has been drafted in the squad. He might get a chance straight away in the XI. Prasidh Krishna is the other option, but he looked a bit off colour in both games he played so far in the series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair/Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj
England
England are leading the series 2-1, but they have a lot of things to look at in the team. It is now almost confirmed that Gus Atkinson, who is fit, will not be included in the playing XI for the 4th test. Chris Woakes will keep his place in the team. Jofra Archer is the likely starter, and Liam Dawson might also get the XI in place of injured Shoaib Bashir. England has the old habit of declaring their playing XI a day before the game. We will keep updating as soon as they declare.
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson
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Pitch and Weather Report: Manchester
The pitch in Manchester generally favors the pacers with good pace and bounce. On the other hand, a good pace and bounce will also help the batters to score freely, and the run-scoring will be fluent. In this Bazball era, you can expect a good batting wicket, with some assistance to the pacers early. As the game progresses, it will be on the slower side.
Coming to the weather, the rain is expected on the 1st and the 5th day of the test match. In between, there will be overcast conditions expected throughout the 5 days of a test match.
Players to Watch Out for: India
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill had an off game with the bat in Lord’s. He has scored a load of runs in the first two tests. The captain will hold the key in the IND vs ENG Manchester test. If he does well, India can score big, and the bowlers will get enough on the board.
Jasprit Bumrah
Of course, if Jasprit Bumrah is in the XI, he will make an impact. It is unfortunate that he played two tests and did well, but India still lost both games. But Bumrah knows how to win games with the ball. He will be the one to watch out for in the 4th test.
England
Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett also has an off-time with the bat in the Lord’s Test. He has been exceptional at the top, playing with aggressive intent. If he does well, he will create a platform for the upcoming batters.
Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer had an impact in the last test. He played his first international red-ball game after almost 4 years, and straight away generated more pace than anyone else across both teams’ bowlers. He will play a major role if England wants to restrict India to a small total.
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Key Battles
Jofra Archer vs Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jofra Archer had Yashasvi’s number during the last test. He got him out in both innings. Yashasvi will have to figure out things against Archer with the new ball. Otherwise, India could be under pressure at the start of their inning.
Zak Crawley vs Jasprit Bumrah
Zak Crawley was not in control against Jasprit Bumrah, especially at the beginning. Bumrah has got Crawley out 5 times in tests, with Crawley averaging 31.2 against the pacer.
IND vs ENG Manchester Test 2025 Prediction
England playing at home makes them the favourite for this game. Especially after they have already won 2 tests. But don’t underestimate India. As we said earlier, India has played some good cricket throughout his series. But England has managed to win the crucial moments, and that’s why, leading 2-1. England will look to win this test and don’t want to go 2-2 with one test to play.
What do you think? Who will win the IND vs ENG Manchester test? Comment on your prediction below. Thank you for reading. Keep following @SportsChilly for the latest updates.
