India will be playing the fourth Test against England at the Old Trafford, starting from July 23. The match is extremely crucial for India as it will be a decider and a win is needed to stop England from clinching the series. The weather forecast also shows rain on the cards and that could significantly affect the pitch conditions.
ENG Vs IND: Pitch Report
The Old Trafford pitch is famous for being well-balanced, offering something for all five days. In the initial days, particularly under cloudy conditions, the fast bowlers are expected to have the upper hand, with swing and seam likely to bother the top order. Batting on the opening day may be difficult.
Also Read: ENG Vs IND: Manchester Weather Forecast – Will It Rain In The 4th Test?
As the match goes into the third and fourth days, the pitch tends to flatten out. This usually favours the batters, with good bounce and little lateral movement. Teams that can survive the early spells and establish strong partnerships in this phase might dominate the match.
By Day 5, however, the pitch at Old Trafford tends to break down. Cracks and rough patches, especially outside the off stump of the left-hander, invite spinners into the act. This might be the turning point for India, who might be dependent on their spinners to take advantage of the wear and tear and put pressure on England’s middle and lower order.
ENG Vs IND: Toss Strategy
Considering the circumstances, the toss will be important. The team that wins the toss might want to bowl first in order to utilise the cloud cover and new pitch to their advantage. But there is a danger as well if rain cuts short playtime heavily in the beginning, making the fourth-innings chase difficult on a deteriorating surface.
