England Vs India 2025: Test Stats And Records At The Old Trafford, Manchester

Manchester, July 22, 2025 — As the iconic Old Trafford Stadium prepares to host its 10th Test between India and England, everything is riding on this fourth gripping chapter of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. With England leading the five-match series 2–1, bolstered by a thrilling victory at Lord’s and par titles in Leeds and Birmingham, Shubman Gill’s men find themselves in do‑or‑die territory. A defeat in Manchester would not only seal England’s fate but also dash India’s hopes of being the inaugural champions named in honour of cricketing legends Anderson and Tendulkar.

England Make a Tactical Twist: Dawson In, Bashir Out

England have called up returning spinner Liam Dawson, replacing Shoaib Bashir, who unfortunately fractured his finger at Lord’s. Dawson makes his long-awaited comeback after eight years; his last Test appearance was in 2017. Although his previous stint yielded just seven wickets, Dawson brings a valuable left-arm option and lower-order batting resilience. Anticipated to partner Joe Root and Ben Stokes in the spin department, his inclusion offers greater depth and variation in England’s bowling arsenal.

This change signals England’s desire to exploit Manchester’s conditions: they’re seeking to land the decisive blow with savvy spin while capitalizing on their form and home advantage.

India’s Injury Quagmire: Pant, Deep, Reddy, Singh All Sidelined

India’s camp faces a growing injury crisis, turning Manchester into far more than just a cricketing test—it’s a pressure cooker of uncertainty and depth testing.

Rishabh Pant: Nursing a finger injury suffered at Lord’s, Pant’s on-field involvement remains doubtful. While he awaits fitness clearance to play as wicketkeeper-batter, Dhruv Jurel stands ready to step in behind the stumps.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Ruled out of the rest of the series with a knee injury, he leaves a void in the seam-bowling all-rounder slot.
Akash Deep: Struggling with a persistent groin issue, his availability remains uncertain.
Arshdeep Singh: Called up as cover but subsequently ruled out due to a thumb injury.
Anshul Kamboj: A newcomer flying in as backup, adding depth to an already stretched fast-bowling contingent.

India will likely cling to a three-pacer attack—Bumrah, Siraj, and either Mukesh Kumar or Shardul Thakur—with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav completing the bowling squad.

Bumrah Confirmed: Siraj’s Heartening Update

The spotlight has been burning on Jasprit Bumrah’s readiness following a taxing Lord’s Test. But ***Mohammed Siraj’s words—“Jassi bhai toh khelenge” (“Bumrah will definitely play”)—***have brought much-needed relief. Bumrah, India’s strike bowler throughout the series, leads the wicket tally and often turns matches with his explosive pace, pinpoint accuracy, and intelligent variations.

His presence is a massive psychological and performance lift—not just for the attack but for the entire Indian squad facing the daunting Manchester challenge.

Old Trafford: A House India Has Never Conquered

Old Trafford’s Test record casts a long shadow over India’s camp: across 9 Tests since 1936, India have never won there—4 losses and 5 draws. Their last visit in 2014 ended in a humiliating innings defeat, highlighted by the merciless trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and then-time bowling partner Chris Woakes.

Venue Stats at a Glance:

Played: 86 Tests
Teams batting first: 32 wins
Teams bowling first: 17 wins
Average 1st innings score: 331
Average 4th innings target: 169
Highest total: 656/8 declared (Australia, 1964)
Lowest total: 58 (India, 1971)

India enters history’s thick shadow: they must chase a 90-year curse—the first team to play 10+ Tests at a venue without a single win. A victory here would be not just a series revitalization, but a legacy-defining moment.

The Tactical Duel: Old Trafford’s Game Plan

England’s Strategy

Swing Masterclass: England expect overcast skies on Days 1–3—prime bowling conditions. With Ben Stokes and Dawson to control spin, and seamers Stuart Broad omitted, the balance leans toward pace endurance and clever spin support.
Bat Aggressively First Up: The pitch tends to ease out, rewarding captains who opt to bat first. England will aim to set a strong foundation and assert scoreboard dominance early.
Stokes the Anchor: As captain and all-rounder, Stokes’s leadership on both fronts is pivotal—he’ll need to deliver both runs and breakthroughs.

India’s Counter

Power-Pacer Focus: Siraj and Bumrah must land breakthroughs early; the third seamer must maintain pressure.
Spin Roulette: Expect second-spin pair of Jadeja and Kuldeep, aiming to exploit wearing conditions and lofted turn.
Pant’s Role: If fit, Pant’s wicketkeeping and batting capabilities will be essential. If not, Jurel’s presence will change the balance, forcing India to navigate without their main match-winner.
Middle-Order Armor: Kohli, Rahul / Gill, and Sarfaraz must be resilient — Manchester’s second day’s shadows can swing momentum away before even lunchtime.

Key Battles to Watch

Bumrah vs Anderson: A clash of eras—England’s revered swing king vs India’s mercurial pace ace.
Kuldeep vs Pope/Root: The wrist-spin alchemist will look to exploit mistakes from England’s seasoned top order.
Pant/Jurel vs Root Stokes: Can India’s custodian handle England’s attacking stumpsmanship and tricky angles?
Bumrah-Siraj vs England Tail: Able to force the pressure? India needs these wickets for a full clearance.

Who Has the Edge?

At face value, England carry the upper hand—home field advantage, a marginal lead, and confidence. But India brings resolve shaped by Birmingham, bite honed by Lord’s close call, and the bitter sting of Old Trafford history to inspire their rebound.

India’s Upside:

Bumrah’s return and Kuldeep’s spin offer new hope.
Winning momentum from Edgbaston travels well.
A do-or-die attitude might spark extraordinary performances.

England’s Strength:

Home pitch familiarity and conditions mastery.
Bowling depth with Dawson’s cunning.
Stokes and Root’s match-winning instincts.

The Road Ahead: A Decider in Waiting

If India pulls off an unlikely win in Manchester, the series pivots to a nerve-jangling final at The Oval, where momentum could shift decisively. For England, a victory = series triumph. But for India, it’s legacy more than victory—a chance to rewrite history and claim the inaugural Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy in dramatic fashion.

A Test of Heart and Hustle

This isn’t just Day 1 in Manchester; it’s a melting pot of narratives: historic hexes, grinding injuries, mental toughness, and tactical chess. India’s challenge is steep—but so is the reward. Win here, they stay alive; lose, and time alone will remember how close they came.

Let the roar of the Old Trafford stands, the swing of Anderson’s new ball, the snap of Siraj’s yorkers, and the artistry of Kuldeep’s turn write yet another chapter in this riveting series.

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