England have officially announced their squad for the 4th Test match against India, scheduled to begin on July 23. The English camp looks settled and ready to challenge a wounded Indian side in what promises to be a high-voltage Test encounter.
Here’s the confirmed England squad:
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Jamie Smith (Wk)
- Liam Dawson
- Chris Woakes
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
🔥 Jofra Archer returns to red-ball cricket, while Liam Dawson adds depth in spin and lower-order batting.
🇮🇳 Team India: Nitish Reddy Injury Throws Plans Into Chaos!
India, on the other hand, are dealing with a major injury crisis as Nitish Reddy has been officially ruled out of the tour due to a serious knee injury. The injury has disrupted India’s middle-order and all-round balance.
🚨 Possible Indian Squad Without Nitish Reddy
With Reddy ruled out, here's a projected Indian squad for the 4th Test:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Rishabh Pant (vc & wk)
- Washington Sundar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav / Shardul Thakur
- Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Anshul Kamboj
🌦️ Match Date & Venue Details
- Match: India vs England, 4th Test
- Date: July 23, 2025
- Venue: Likely to be Old Trafford, Manchester (official venue TBC)
- Time: 11:00 AM (Local), 3:30 PM IST
💥 What Reddy’s Absence Means for India
Nitish Reddy brought a strong balance of batting and medium-pace bowling, making him a valuable asset on foreign pitches. His absence could:
- Force India to play an extra bowler or all-rounder, disrupting the batting depth.
- Put more pressure on Shardul Thakur to bat deeper.
- Possibly bring in Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar as replacements.
🧠 Team Strategies & Key Players
England’s Edge:
- Home advantage
- In-form top-order (Crawley, Root, Brook)
- Deadly pace with Archer, Woakes, Carse
India’s Key Challenges:
- Filling Nitish Reddy’s void
- Handling swing and seam in English conditions
- Relying on Bumrah-Siraj duo to deliver with the ball
🔮 Match Prediction: Can India Bounce Back?
If India’s top order performs and the middle order steps up despite Reddy’s absence, the match can go down the wire. But England’s full-strength attack at home makes them slight favorites.
📊 Head-to-Head (Tests in England)
- Matches: 68
- England Won: 35
- India Won: 9
- Drawn: 24
🌧️ Weather Forecast for July 23
The forecast currently suggests partly cloudy skies, with 20-30% chance of rain on Day 1. Swing bowlers are likely to enjoy these conditions.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The 4th Test between India and England is shaping up to be a gripping contest, but India’s road just got bumpier with Nitish Reddy’s unfortunate exit. England will look to capitalize on their home edge and settled squad, while India must dig deep, adapt quickly, and play with grit.
With Gill leadership and Rahul's hunger, India still has a puncher's chance.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ What date is the 4th Test between India and England?
A: July 23, 2025
❓ Where will the 4th Test be played?
A: Likely Old Trafford, Manchester (official venue to be confirmed)
❓ Why is Nitish Reddy ruled out?
A: He suffered a serious knee injury and will miss the rest of the England tour.
❓ Who replaced Nitish Reddy in India’s squad?
A: India has not officially named a replacement yet, but Sarfaraz Khan or Sundar could be considered.
❓ Is Jofra Archer fit for the 4th Test?
A: Yes, he’s named in the squad and is expected to return to the playing XI.
❓ Who is replacing Shoaib Bashir in England’s side?
A: Liam Dawson returns after eight years❓ Why is Nitish Reddy out?
A: Ruled out for the rest of the tour due to a serious knee injury❓ Who captains India for this Test?
A: Shubman Gill replaces Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.