Follow UsAfter three Tests, England have a 2-1 lead in the five-match series against India. India have a chance to level things in the fourth Test in Manchester and go into the final Test with all to play for. However, the weather does not seem to be in their favour as the majority of Day 1 of the Manchester Test is set to be hampered by rain.
There have been persistent rains in Manchester over the past week or so, and there is a forecast of light rains all through the Test match. There is a 65% chance of precipitation on July 23 (Wednesday), which is not great for both sets of players and also the fans. The temperature will hover between 18 and 19°C.
The Shubman Gill-led side, especially, would feel disappointed if weather played spoilsport and denied them a chance to go into the Oval Test at 2-2.
However, damp pitch and overcast conditions could bring the fast bowlers into play a lot more.
India have plenty of injury concerns leading up to the fourth Test. Fast bowlers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh have been ruled out of the fourth Test. Moreover, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the entire series.
As a result, we could see a Test debut for Anshul Kamboj, or we might also see one of Prasidh Krishna or Shardul Thakur return to the XI.
India started the series with a five-wicket loss in the first Test at Headingley, but bounced back in the next game at Edgbaston to win it by 336 runs. However, the most heartbreaking game for them was the third Test at Lord's, which they lost by 22 runs, in pursuit of 193.