India, currently trailing 2-1 against England, must secure a win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester to keep their hopes of a first series victory in the country since 2007 alive. But how have they fared at this venue in the past?
In the opening Test at Headingley, India fell to a five-wicket defeat despite an extraordinary batting display that saw five of their players notch up centuries, a first in the history of Test cricket. Only once before had a team lost a match after producing four individual hundreds, when Australia were beaten by England in Melbourne back in 1928.
Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed a five-wicket haul, India’s bowling lacked bite in the series opener. However, they responded emphatically at Edgbaston, a ground where they had never previously tasted victory. In Bumrah’s absence, Shubman Gill’s landmark innings, combined with incisive spells from Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, powered India to a historic win at the venue after eight unsuccessful attempts, as they drew level.
The Test at Lord’s was a game of what-ifs for the Indian team, as failure to clinch crucial moments saw the game slip away. Chasing 193 in the final session, they were reeling at 82-7, before Ravindra Jadeja played a fighting knock of 61* in 181 deliveries. Along with the efforts of tail-enders Bumrah and Siraj, India got close, but a narrow 22-run defeat saw them concede the lead in the five-match series.
The fourth Test begins on July 23 (Wednesday) at Old Trafford in Manchester.
How have India fared at Old Trafford before?
Old Trafford in Manchester, along with Kensington Oval in Barbados, is one of the venues where India have played the most Tests (nine) without securing a single win. Their record at the ground reads: nine games, zero wins, four defeats and five draws.
They have lost by an innings twice, including the last time they played here, back in 2014. Up against England’s 367, India were bowled out for 152 and 161, to go down by an innings and 54 runs.
Their other defeats at the venue have also been by big margins: The first time India lost a Test here, in 1952, they went down by an innings and 207 runs, while the next match, in 1959, had a 171-run defeat in store. In 1974, India lost by 113 runs.
India’s record at Old Trafford in Tests
| Team | Span | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Drawn |
| India | 1936-2014 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
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