IND vs ENG: Why Teams Fear Manchester Pitch – Highest Chase Will Surprise You

Let us take a look at what the pitch conditions at Old Trafford could be like in this crucial Test match.

Shubman Gill’s captaincy will be tested as India looks to rewrite history and register their first-ever win at this venue.

Source : BCCI, @mufaddal_vohra / X

The fourth Test match between India and England will be played at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester from 23 July.

Team India is currently trailing 2-1 in the five-match Test series. In such a situation, this match becomes the last opportunity for Shubman Gill and company to keep the series alive.

However, winning this Test won’t be easy for India, as the pitch at Manchester has historically proven to be quite unlucky for Indian batsmen.

Let us take a look at what the pitch conditions at Old Trafford could be like in this crucial Test match.

Who will benefit more on Manchester pitch – batsmen or bowlers?

Teams usually prefer to win the toss and bat first at Old Trafford, as batting is relatively easier during the early stages of the match.

However, the pitch offers significant pace and bounce, especially in the initial session, which means that fast bowlers are likely to get good assistance.

As the match progresses, though, the pitch tends to settle down and becomes more favorable for batting. Australia’s team once scored 656 runs in a single innings at this venue, which shows the potential for high scores.

What is the highest run chase at Manchester ground?

In the fourth or fifth innings, spinners also come into play and often take control, making batting quite challenging.

That’s why winning the toss and batting first becomes crucial, as chasing a target in the fourth innings at Manchester can be extremely difficult.

The highest successful run chase in the history of Test cricket at Old Trafford is 294 runs. This record clearly reflects how tough it is to chase on this ground, especially in the final innings.

India has never won a Test in Manchester

Another major concern for India is their winless record at Old Trafford. The Indian team has played a total of nine Test matches at this ground so far, out of which they have lost four, while five have ended in draws.

Now, Shubman Gill’s captaincy will be tested as India looks to rewrite history and register their first-ever win at this venue.