As India face off against England in the crucial 4th Test at Manchester, the stakes are higher than ever. A win for the hosts would mean that a series victory would be out of reach for India, but a win for India would mean that the series will be decided in the final Test at The Oval.Ahead of the day’s play, former India head coach and legend Ravi Shastri made sharp observations about how the visitors can avoid a repeat of the heartbreak they faced at Lord’s and level the series. Backing the Shubman Gill-led side to level the series and bounce back from defeat, the 63-year-old said, “India could have been 3-0 up for all you know, but they’ll have to work hard in this session.”He also warned the Indian side, who were sent out to bat by England skipper Ben Stokes, who won the toss and opted to bowl, to keep focus on the first 30 overs and not lose too many wickets. “This is the first time you’re getting close to English conditions. It’s overcast, there’s a bit of grass on the surface. There’s pace around in the form of Jofra Archer. So their main aim would be those first 30 overs. Don’t lose more than three wickets, then take it from there,” warned Shastri.
The veteran also warned that the hosts are probably the more threatening side in this match, “England are a more dangerous side when they can play both ways. We know they can go full throttle at the top, they can go at four-and-a-half, five runs per over if they want,” added the former head coach.India’s luck in the toss has been far from ideal, with Shubman Gill failing to win a single toss yet since he took charge as India’s Test captain.
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For India, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the game, as the visitors will look to get off to a solid start on Day 1 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.With the unavailability of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep, India have handed Haryana pacer Anshul Kamboj his debut. Sai Sudharsan has replaced Karun Nair in the playing XI as well.
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