Scorecard: England vs India, fourth Test

The iconic Old Trafford Cricket Ground is currently hosting the pivotal fourth Test between England and India, a contest that promises to shape the destiny of the five-match series. With England holding a crucial 2-1 lead, the stakes for both sides are immensely high. India, desperate to level the series before the final Test, is battling hard against an English side keen to secure an unassailable advantage on home soil. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are glued to the action, with live coverage readily available on Sky Sports Cricket, capturing every twist and turn of this enthralling encounter.

As the afternoon session progresses, England finds themselves navigating a challenging period, currently standing at 215 for 5 wickets. Having won the toss and elected to bat on a surface that initially offered some assistance to the fast bowlers, the hosts endured a testing morning. Early breakthroughs by India’s pace attack, particularly the incisive spell from Jasprit Bumrah, saw England’s top order under significant pressure. The dismissal of key batsmen before lunch meant the middle order was tasked with a significant rebuilding effort. A resilient partnership between Joe Root and Ben Stokes steadied the ship for a considerable period, showcasing their experience and determination to absorb the pressure and slowly accumulate runs. However, the dismissal of Stokes just before tea has once again shifted the momentum, bringing a new batsman to the crease and reigniting India’s hopes of restricting England to a sub-par first innings total.

The current score reflects a finely balanced contest, where neither team has established complete dominance. For England, reaching a score in excess of 350 will be paramount to put pressure on the Indian batting line-up, especially with the Old Trafford pitch traditionally offering some turn later in the match. The onus now falls on the remaining specialist batsmen and the lower order to dig deep and add crucial runs. Conversely, India will be pushing hard to exploit any further cracks in England’s batting, knowing that a significant first-innings lead could be decisive in levelling the series. The battle between India's spinners and England's middle-to-lower order will be a fascinating watch in the upcoming sessions, potentially determining which side gains the upper hand as this captivating Test match unfolds.