English pacers stand in the way as India hopes to break the Old Trafford jinx
From playing a Test match under the leadership of the Maharaja of Vizianagram back in 1936 to Sachin Tendulkar scoring his maiden international century, Old Trafford has seen some of the finest moments of Indian cricket.
However, the overall record at the iconic venue has been quite forgettable for India. Of the nine Tests that it has played there, the side has lost four, while five were drawn.
After the heartbreak at Lord’s, the Indian team will hope to bounce back in the series with a first-ever Test win in Manchester. However, with the surface likely to aid pacers, it would be a challenge for the Indian batters to tackle the Jofra Archer-led unit.
Leading the series 2-1, England will come into the game with a lot of confidence, as it has not lost a Test at Old Trafford since September 2019, when Australia beat it in an Ashes fixture.
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Thereafter, the Ben Stokes-led side has gone on to defeat the West Indies, Pakistan, and South Africa and even earned a draw against the Aussies at the venue.
In fact, it has lost here only twice in the 21st century— the other defeat having come in 2001.
Joe Root, with 978 runs from 11 matches, remains the highest run-scorer, while maintaining an average of 65.20, with one century and seven fifties. Among the current crop of cricketers, captain Stokes has 579 runs at an average of 52.63 at this venue. And the England skipper will be hoping to take an unassailable lead next time he takes the field.
Root, who has seen the journey of Stokes closely, believes that after the nail-biting finish at Lord’s, the latter will put his body on line for England.
“It’s a great sign for us moving forward, it really is… He (Stokes) has got that mentality and that desire to win games, and we’re lucky to have him as our leader,” Root said, hoping to keep the momentum going in its happy hunting ground.
