India aim to level Test series

89-YEAR-OLD JINX AT OLD TRAFFORD

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An injury-plagued India is likely to go back to the Headingley template when it takes ona reinvigorated England in the fourth Test starting here Wednesday, hoping to end a winless record at the storied Old Trafford and draw level in what has been a compelling series so far.

Following the first Test in Leeds, India had found a settled lineup by fielding three allrounders in the playing eleven including Nitish Reddy, who has now been ruled of the series due toa knee injury.

Pacer Akash Deep was alsoruled out on the eve of the Test due to a groin injury, and captain Shubman Gill said uncapped fast bowler Anshul Kamboj is on the verge of making his debut.

With Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar being the two spin bowling all-rounders, India had the cushion of batting till number eight but that may not be the case in Manchester, where the visitors are yet to win in nine attempts including four losses and five draws, England are leading 2-1 going into the penultimate game of the rubber.