Sai Sudharsan was shadow batting on a covered square at Old Trafford on the eve of the fourth Test, an old habit that keeps the top-order batter mentally ready for the next opportunity that comes his way.
Ben Stokes was ruled out due to a shoulder muscle tear.
Led by Shubman Gill, a defiant India put on a mentally strong and technically disciplined response to keep the series alive with England 2-1 up. While there were plenty of positives to take forward, a few concerns continue to linger as the series heads to a decider at The Oval.
India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston on June 14.
Historically, the surface deteriorates and it is expected to be no different in this Test.
Images from the English Premier League matches on Saturday, August 30.
Sudharsan made the most of the 'life' and went on to score a patient 50, his maiden Test half-century.
As India got off to a strong start in the must-win fourth Test for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, opener K L Rahul achieved a major career milestone, joining an elite list of Indian batters with 1,000 or more Test runs in England.
Ravindra Jadeja continued his renaissance as a batter, delivering his best-ever outing during the recent Test series in England and joining a list of legends
Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar struck unbeaten centuries as India staged a superb fightback on the final day to draw the fourth Test against England.
India stuck to their pre-series decision to field Bumrah in only three Tests and was hence not played in the final Test at the Oval
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai struck the first telling blow in the Premier League title race with a dazzling free kick late on giving his side a 1-0 victory over rivals Arsenal.
Ben Stokes' lengthy bowling spells against India in the third Test shows the England all-rounder has full confidence in his body after coming through injury layoffs, batter Joe Root said.
Ben Stokes' lengthy bowling spells against India in the third Test shows the England all-rounder has full confidence in his body after coming through injury layoffs, batter Joe Root said.
With this the classy all-rounder has achieved a rare milestone that few legends of the game can boast of.
Manchester United played out a 2-2 draw against Everton in a pre-season match on Sunday.
Fresh off a dominant title-winning campaign, Liverpool kick off the new Premier League season on Friday as the team to beat, as the Reds have transitioned from Juergen Klopp's high-octane chaos to a more measured possession-based style under Arne Slot.
With three centuries already in the series, Gill could join Don Bradman and Gavaskar in the elite club of captains who've hit the most hundreds in a single Test series, if he converts his current innings into a fourth on Day 5.
Test skipper Shubman Gill was on Thursday named captain of the North Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, beginning August 28, less than three weeks after he led a young Indian side to a thrilling 2-2 draw against England in a gruelling five-Test series.
In the series opener at Headingley and the third Test at Lord's, India were outbowled by the hosts, leading to their downfall.
Sai Sudharsan made the opportunity count in his comeback game with a fifty while Rishabh Pant suffered another injury as India played the old-fashioned way to reach 264 for four at stumps on Day 1 of the fourth Test in Manchester on Wednesday.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series against England due to a knee injury.
India's heroes from Old Trafford took to social media to share what the draw meant to them - not just as cricketers, but as fighters.
Injured England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir ruled out of remainder of Test series against India
Steyn, however, argued that once the draw had been secured, personal milestones should have been secondary to the spirit of the game.
England go in a happier side on Day 1 despite taking just four wickets, after Pant retired hurt injured and Sudharsan back in the hut after making 61.
While Ricky Ponting has declared England "red-hot favourites," he's not writing off India just yet-especially given their familiarity with worn-out, turning tracks.
Sitanshu Kotak did not rule out India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the must-win fifth and final Test against England.
The delivery, which Siraj played down onto the pitch in front of the crease, spun back and rattled the base of his leg stump, sparking wild celebrations in England camp.
England batsman Harry Brook said the tension with Indian players during the third Test at Lord's was fun and put the visitors under added pressure as England secured a dramatic 22-run victory and a 2-1 lead in the series.
India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Monday confirmed Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the fourth Test beginning at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Pain, Punt and Pant: Keeper of India's fortune fights back with broken foot
"Came here to give myself every chance to play just as batter": Stokes after being ruled out of Oval Test
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Mohammed Siraj's match-winning spell in The Oval Test reminded us all what Test cricket -- and fast bowling -- is truly about: Discipline, endurance, and unwavering grit, says Aadharsh A V.
In the last 10 games that United have played under Amorim's stewardship, they had lost six games, while under Gambhir, India have lost eight out of their last 11 Tests.
Stokes took his first five-wicket haul for eight years in India's first innings, an impressive feat given his recent injury issues.
'Kamboj, Bumrah, Siraj -- that's a serious bowling attack.'
As England and India gear up for the final showdown in the five-match series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, former England speedster Stuart Broad feels the hosts should make some changes to their Playing XI and rest tearaway Jofra Archer.
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