Match Details: England vs India, 4th Test
England vs India: 4th Test Match Preview, Fantasy Tips & Dream11 Prediction
IND vs ENG: The high-stakes Pataudi Trophy series between England and India moves to Manchester for the 4th Test, with the hosts currently holding a crucial 2-1 lead. After a hard-fought battle at Lord’s, where England emerged victorious by 22 runs, India will be under immense pressure to level the series and force a decider at The Oval. This promises to be another gripping encounter between two of the world’s top Test nations.
India, now led by newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill, will be looking for a significant turnaround. The team’s batting has shown glimpses of brilliance, particularly with KL Rahul’s consistent performances, who is on the verge of reaching 9,000 international runs. However, the collective effort will be crucial against a formidable English bowling attack. The big question mark for India will be the availability of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the second Test due to workload management. His presence could be pivotal in swinging the momentum in India’s favor. Rishabh Pant’s finger injury is also a concern, though he has shown immense resilience.
England, under the aggressive leadership of Ben Stokes, will be riding high on confidence after their Lord’s triumph. Their ‘Bazball’ approach has yielded results, and they will aim to seal the series in Manchester. Joe Root continues to be a lynchpin in their batting, while their pace attack, bolstered by the return of Jofra Archer, looks potent. The conditions at Old Trafford, known for assisting seamers, could play into their hands.
This Test is not just about the series result but also holds significance for the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle, of which this series is a part. Both teams will be eager to secure valuable points.
Key Player Battles to Watch:
- KL Rahul (IND) vs. England’s Pace Attack: Rahul has been India’s most consistent batter in this series. Can he continue his run-scoring against the likes of James Anderson, Josh Tongue, and Jofra Archer?
- Ben Stokes (ENG) vs. Indian Spinners: Stokes’ aggressive batting can change the complexion of a Test match in a session. How will India’s spin duo, likely featuring Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, counter his onslaught?
- Jasprit Bumrah (IND) vs. England’s Top Order (if he plays): If Bumrah is fit, his ability to extract bounce and movement will pose a serious threat to England’s top order, particularly Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope.
IND vs ENG Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Tips
Given the current series form and the likely conditions at Old Trafford, a balanced team with a slight lean towards pacers and in-form batters would be advisable.
Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant (IND) – Despite the injury, his attacking batting and wicket-keeping contributions make him a strong pick.
Batsmen: KL Rahul (IND), Joe Root (ENG), Harry Brook (ENG), Shubman Gill (IND)
All-rounders: Ben Stokes (ENG), Ravindra Jadeja (IND)
Bowlers: James Anderson (ENG), Jasprit Bumrah (IND) (if available, otherwise Mohammed Siraj), Josh Tongue (ENG), Kuldeep Yadav (IND)
Captaincy Picks (Grand League):
- Safe: KL Rahul, Joe Root
- Risky/High Reward: Ben Stokes, Jasprit Bumrah (if he plays and fires)
Vice-Captaincy Picks:
- Safe: Ravindra Jadeja, Harry Brook
- Risky/High Reward: Shubman Gill
