IND vs ENG: Old Trafford Pitch Conditions And Historical Records For India

IND vs ENG: India’s struggle at the Old Trafford Test and the importance of the pitch

The IND vs ENG match is going to start again at Old Trafford on July 23. England are ahead 2-1 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, and now the fourth match has become a do-or-die for India. This ground has not been very memorable for India in Manchester Test cricket history.

IND vs ENG: How does the Old Trafford pitch behave?

Talking about Old Trafford pitch conditions, initially, it is favorable for the batsmen. The average score of the first innings is 332, which shows that winning the toss and batting first is a wise decision. However, as the Test progresses, Old Trafford pitch conditions change rapidly. Spinners can be deadly here on the fourth and fifth day, although the pitch is generally not considered very helpful for spin. The average score in the third and fourth innings drops to 225 and 168, respectively.

How has Team India performed at this venue?

India Test record has been very weak at Old Trafford. India have not won a single match in the nine Tests played since 1936. Five draws and four defeats testify that this ground has been a challenge for the Indian team so far. The lowest point in India’s Test record at Old Trafford was the collapse of the entire team for 58 runs in 1952. Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten innings of 119 runs in 1990 and the centuries of Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq Ali in 1936 were special.

The biggest challenge for the Indian team in the England vs India fourth Test is England’s experienced batting, especially Joe Root, who has 978 runs at Old Trafford. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah is India’s biggest hope at Old Trafford. His bowling average in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has been just 21.0, and he has taken 12 wickets in two Tests. If Jasprit Bumrah regains the same rhythm at Old Trafford, then India can remain in the match.

How can India come up on the winning side?

Given the Old Trafford pitch conditions, India will have to score well in their first innings. If Jasprit Bumrah is successful in giving early blows with the new ball at Old Trafford, then England can be brought under pressure. However, England’s domestic experience can become a hindrance in India’s path in this important match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.

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This match will decide a lot in terms of Manchester Test cricket history. If India win this match in the IND vs ENG series, then 89 years of failure will end. But Jasprit Bumrah should show his magic at Old Trafford, and the batsmen should take advantage of the Old Trafford pitch conditions; only then will there be hope of victory.

This battle of IND vs ENG is not just a test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, but also an attempt to overcome history. Jasprit Bumrah shines again at Old Trafford; this is what India needs.

This time, if Jasprit Bumrah wreaks havoc with the new ball at Old Trafford and the top order stays put, history can change. But if the initial conditions are not taken advantage of, then this IND vs ENG series can also slip out of hand for Shubman Gill’s team.