As India prepares for the crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, former England captain Michael Atherton has suggested a bold strategy: playing three spinners. With England leading the five-match series 2-1 after a narrow 22-run victory at Lord's, India is under pressure to level the series. The fourth Test is scheduled to begin on July 23, 2025.
Atherton's advice stems from the observation that Old Trafford pitches have been less conducive to seam bowlers in recent years. He noted that wrist spin, in particular, tends to perform well at this ground as matches progress. In a Sky Sports podcast, Atherton proposed a combination of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as the two frontline pacers, supported by three spinners: Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav.
"In the middle, where the televised pitches are, I said just flat, flat, flat. You know wrist spin goes well at Old Trafford in those circumstances," Atherton said. He acknowledged that the Manchester weather forecast could influence the decision, as cooler, showery conditions might favor fast bowlers.
The suggestion to include Kuldeep Yadav is particularly noteworthy. Despite being labeled a potential "X-factor" before the series, the left-arm wrist-spinner has yet to feature in the playing XI. Atherton believes the flat pitch in Manchester could make Kuldeep a valuable asset.
India's team management faces a dilemma regarding Bumrah's workload. It is likely he will play in only one of the remaining two Tests. While assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has indicated Bumrah is likely to play in Manchester, the final decision will depend on an assessment of his fitness closer to the match.
The Old Trafford pitch typically favors batting for the first two days, offering good bounce and pace. As the match progresses, cracks appear, providing assistance to spinners. On the fifth day, the pitch can develop an unusual bounce, potentially benefiting fast bowlers. Winning the toss and batting first could be advantageous, as batting last can be challenging.
England will be without Shoaib Bashir for the fourth Test due to a broken finger. Liam Dawson has been called up as his replacement, bringing experience and consistent spin bowling.
India's predicted playing XI could see some changes. Karun Nair's position is under threat after a series of low scores. Sai Sudharsan or Abhimanyu Easwaran could replace him.
The fourth Test at Old Trafford is a must-win game for India to keep the series alive. Atherton's advice to play three spinners reflects the importance of adapting to the conditions and exploiting any potential advantage. Whether India chooses to heed this advice remains to be seen, but the decision could well determine the outcome of this crucial Test match.
