India are going to Manchester with their backs against the wall. Down 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, this fourth Test from July 23 to 27 is not just another match it’s a fight for survival in the series. But the venue?
It’s the one where India have never won a Test in 90 years. That makes this even tougher. India’s record at Old Trafford is flat out poor 0 wins, 4 defeats, 5 draws.
Out of the four losses, two were by big margins and two were innings defeats. The last time India played here in 2014, under MS Dhoni, they were bowled out for 152 and 161.
That game also saw India equal a then-record of six ducks in a single innings. It wasn’t just a defeat; it was a collapse.
Even with all the struggles, Manchester gave India one unforgettable moment. In 1990, a 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar scored his first Test century here.
Walking in with India struggling in the fourth innings, he made an unbeaten 119 to help save the match. It was gutsy, calm, and brilliant. But here’s the thing no Indian batter has hit a century at Old Trafford since. That was 34 years ago.
Shubman Gill is leading the side and the pressure is heavy. Rain is likely during the match, which could eat up precious time.
But India can’t just rely on the weather they need a win to keep the series alive. Despite some good performances in the first three Tests, the results haven’t gone India’s way.
They’ve shown promise, but promise won’t win you a Test in Manchester. Nine matches, no wins. A venue that’s always been tough. A series that’s slipping away.
India don’t just need to play well they need to rise above history. Old Trafford has been a tough ground, but if ever there was a time to break the curse, it’s now.
