33-year-old India National Cricket Team batsman Karun Nair feels that it has become a lifeline and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is likely to play in the playing XI for the fourth Test match of 2025.
The five-match series between India and England is currently 2–1 under the leadership of the hosts, and the fourth Test will be hosted by Old Trafford in Manchester from July 23.
India’s speed attack for Manchester Test
On Monday, July 21, all India National Cricket Team players and coaches arrived at Old Trafford in Manchester for the official practice session.
cricketballgame.com
The first look of the Manchester Pitch also came forward from the fourth game, and it looked like a moist surface.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen inspecting the pitch for some time with other coaches, as it would determine the combination that the visitors would field in all important matches.
#INDVSENG Gautam Gambhir takes a close look at the moist pitch in Manchester before the 4th Test of important conditions for big decisions – India’s strategy in focus!
Full Video: https://t.co/zjh4mznktd pic.twitter.com/nzxnxypqqi
– Toi Sports (@Toisports) July 21, 2025
One of the biggest questions to go to the next Test match is about the availability of Pace Spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who entered the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, with a pre-determined plan to play three out of five Test matches.
He has already played two matches and will join only one of the last two matches. Allegedly, Jasprit will play Manchester Test with a series on the Bumrah line.
Meanwhile, a TOI journalist indicated that Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, who would effectively change spinner Washington Sundar, and Ansul Kamboj, who will start, would be the other three marks playing XI in India.
In particular, the sky deep suffers from a waist and rear issue, while Arshdeep Singh is excluded from the fourth test due to a thumb injury.
Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur and Anshul Kamboj
– Sahil Malhotra (@sahil_malhotra1) July 21, 2025
Karun Nair and Sai Reformson to play together
India has lost young all -rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for the rest of the series as he suffered a knee injury in the gym and was sent back home. His injury has opened the doors for both Karun Nair and 23 -year -old Sai Sudarshan to play India together.
A sportstar journalist faced X to share a glimpse of India’s training session, where Rishabh Pant was seen with gloves, and included Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudhasan in Slip-Cardon.
Reacting to this, a PTI reporter said both Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair are expected to be part of India’s XI in the Manchester Test.
So Pant will take wickets and both Sai and Nair are expected to play#INDVENG https://t.co/dkms7k5w1b
– Kushan Sarkar (@Kushansarkar) July 21, 2025
Karun Nair has been subject to scanners for his poor performance as he has scored only 0, 20, 31, 26, 40 and 14 in six innings.
In addition, Sai Reformson was abandoned immediately after his debut game, where he scored 0 and 30 runs. He will effectively replace Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team.
rishabh pants holding wickets! Karun, KL, Shubman and Sai in Slip Cordon.
Yashasvi later joined the slip cordon. @Gargiraut15 Reports pic.twitter.com/bnzxq1h7d3
– Revsportz Global (@revsportzglobal) July 21, 2025
India reports XI for Manchester Test
Team: KL Rahul, Yashsvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Sharadul Thakur, Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammad Sirj, Ansul Kamboj
In – Sai Sudhrasan, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj
Outside – Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep
Also read: Akash Chopra opposes Ravi Shastri, selects ‘semi-fit’ Rishabh Pant for Manchester Test
We are playing to win this series – East – India Star
Former India’s Pesar Siddharth Kaul, who is all set to play for the India Champions team at the ongoing World Championship of Legends, welcomed Test Skipper Shubman Gill. He also supported India to win the Test series against England.
“I feel very proud. I remember when we used to play together, his jokes, his funny side, and yet, the maturity he showed in his batting. The matches that he had won for Punjab that looked impossible. That kind of nature does not go attention to,” he said, as Annie quoted.
“Certainly, we’ll come back. I don’t believe we are playing to return. We are playing to win this series.”
