Team India Prepares for Crucial Test Against England at Old Trafford
Team India and Manchester United Players Unite in Manchester
The Indian cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, participated in engaging activities with players from Premier League club Manchester United in Manchester, as they gear up for their fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, commencing on July 23.
After their practice sessions at Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, the Indian squad arrived in Manchester on Saturday. They are currently trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, having suffered a narrow defeat in the third Test at Lord's by 22 runs while chasing a target of 193 runs. Ravindra Jadeja's commendable innings of 61 off 181 balls provided some resistance.
Historically, Old Trafford has been a challenging venue for India, as they have not secured a victory there in their last nine visits from 1936 to 2014, with four losses and five draws. The team is eager to change this narrative, especially after breaking a 58-year winless streak at Edgbaston with a 336-run victory in the second Test.
Fun Interactions Between Team India and Manchester United
Prior to the Test match, Team India enjoyed a light-hearted session with Manchester United players at the club's training ground. The two teams participated in football drills, cricket activities, exchanged jerseys, and shared playful banter.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared images from this crossover event on their social media, highlighting the friendly interactions between the footballers and cricketers, much to the fans' delight. Manchester United players donned India's Test and ODI jerseys, while the Indian team sported the Premier League club's home and away kits.
Notable moments included Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim posing for a photo, while captains Shubman Gill and Bruno Fernandes shared a laugh. Mohammed Siraj bowled to Harry Maguire, and Rishabh Pant along with Gill took penalty kicks against goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who was dressed in an Indian ODI jersey.
Team India Seeks Redemption at Old Trafford
Following their disappointing loss in the Lord's Test, Team India is determined to make a strong comeback. They fell short while chasing a target of 193 runs, getting bowled out for 170 in 74.5 overs. Despite Ravindra Jadeja's valiant effort, the team's collapse proved costly.
With the series at stake, the Shubman Gill-led squad is eager to level the series at 2-2 at Old Trafford. A victory would not only revive their World Test Championship aspirations but also end an 88-year winless streak at this venue.
India lost the series opener at Headingley in Leeds by five wickets, despite four players scoring centuries across both innings. However, they rebounded impressively to secure a historic win at Edgbaston. The pace attack, missing Jasprit Bumrah, saw Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj stepping up admirably in his absence.