IND vs. ENG test: Can India Break the Manchester Curse in the Fourth Test?
Cricket fans would surely be glued to their television screens in the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England. With the series level and only two matches remaining, the IND vs. ENG test at Old Trafford, Manchester, becomes a crucial contest for both nations. For India, it is a do-or-die situation. They will have to win to keep their hopes alive, but it seems, with both history and current conditions, that the scales are tipping away from them and in favor of the home.
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Is India going to make come back in Manchester? Here’s a breakdown of it.
The Momentum Swing
India came into the third Test at Lords riding high after a memorable 336-run victory at Birmingham — their first-ever win in that venue. But the celebrations were short-lived, as England rebounded with a nail-biting win by an incredibly close 22 runs, handing the momentum back in the tussle and leveling the series. And now, the teams turn their heads towards Manchester as the stakes go higher.
Injury Woes for India
Before the IND vs. ENG test at Old Trafford, Manchester, Team India suffered from quite an injury bombshell. All-rounder Nitish Reddy is out due to a left knee injury. Speedster Arshdeep Singh has hurt his left thumb during practice, and Akash Deep has also made himself unavailable with a groin problem. This means India will have to reshuffle their bowling unit and perhaps bring in some fresh faces – a gamble, especially at a venue where they’ve historically struggled.
Manchester: Not a Happy Hunting Ground for India
Old Trafford has not been good to India. From the very first Test that they played in 1936, they have never tasted victory at this venue-the one last played at Manchester (2014) ending in a tragic innings-and-54-run defeat. Here’s a brief roundup of how India did at Old Trafford in the earlier matches:
- 1936 – Draw
- 1946 – Draw
- 1952 – Lost by innings & 207 runs
- 1959 – Lost by 171 runs
- 1971 – Draw
- 1974 – Lost by 113 runs
- 1982 – Draw
- 1990 – Draw
- 2014 – Lost by innings & 54 runs
With no victories and multiple heavy losses, the Manchester jinx is real.
England’s Fortress
England’s recent history at Old Trafford could be described as sheer dominance. They’ve played 20 Tests there since 2000 and have won 14 of them. The last time England played at this venue, they hammered South Africa by an innings and 85 runs.
Notable victories include:
- 2006 vs Pakistan – Won by innings & 120 runs
- 2016 vs Pakistan – Won by 330 runs
- 2020 vs West Indies – Won by 269 runs
- 2022 vs South Africa – Won by innings & 85 runs
Thereby, there is enough proof that England is comfortable in Manchester and would further pressurize India.
Why the Toss Matters
The toss in Manchester could prove to be a match-winner, though, because, throughout history, the team that bats first has usually had the upper hand. Out of 52 matches, the side batting first has won 32.
India’s best chance at grabbing a win here stands in putting a huge score on the board in their first innings. Very rarely do teams lose after crossing the 400-mark in their first innings at this ground. The last team to accomplish this feat was West Indies in 2004, who had put on 395, yet lost. Such outcomes, though, are rare.
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Chasing? Think Again
Chasing a target in the fourth innings in Old Trafford has never been an easy task. No subcontinental team has ever managed to do that successfully. And the highest target successfully chased by any visiting team? Just 145 runs by South Africa in 1955.
Successful chases at this venue are few and far between — all in all, there have been only 15. England’s best chase was 294 against New Zealand in 2008. For India, it is clear: do not chase in Manchester.
What India Has to Do
To stay alive in this series, India would have to:
- Win the toss and bat first.
- Make over 400 runs in the first innings.
- Take wickets before the conditions ease out.
- Never chase more than 200 runs in the fourth innings.
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Final Thoughts
The IND vs. ENG test is more than just a game for India; it is a chance for them to make a comeback and stay alive in the series. While the numbers and history seem to heavily sway towards England, cricket, at times, has not been so logical. With a smart plan, fearless execution, and a pinch of luck with the toss, India has set its sights on rewriting the history of Manchester. For all the fans watching it unfold, Starexchange gives an exciting way to be involved in the action.
FAQs
Q1. What is Starexchange?
An online gaming platform that offers live sports updates and enables users to make real-time predictions for cash prizes.
Q2. What is Mobile In-Play prediction?
Mobile In-Play prediction allows users to make predictions while live games are going on, thus adding a whole new level of fun to the sports viewing experience.
Q3. Has India won any Test matches in Manchester?
No, India has not won any Test match at the Old Trafford, Manchester, throughout their Test history.
Q4. How important is the toss in the Manchester Test?
Extremely important; teams batting first have a very good winning percentage at this venue thus making it a great advantage to win the toss.