Pant boost as injury-hit India bid for a comeback at Old Trafford

Assured of keeping, the visitors will hope they can upstage England and level the series in fourth Test

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

India have challenges galore going into the fourth Test starting at Old Trafford on Wednesday ~ a narrow, heartbreaking loss to overcome and injuries in the bowling attack to contend with.

‘When the opposition is down and wears a depleted look, most teams are gung-ho about their chances. England though know that they can't take this India side lightly, especially since there is precedence. No doubt the visitors have their backs to the wall, but the belief of Shubman Gill and Co. is unlikely to be shaken. They've been in such a tough situation before, braved it and excelled in it.

For some of the Indian players, the situation they find themselves in - 2-1 down in a five-Test battle with injuries — will feel familiar to the impossible situation they faced in the 2021 Brisbane Test against the formidable Australia.

The fourth Test is vital as India could either draw level with England or lose the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, in case there is a result. For inspiration, in the dressing room they have five heroes from the 2021 Gabba Test when a severely depleted India stunned the hosts in their fortress.

Facing a similar challenge at a ground where India have never beaten England, this young side will do well to invoke the spirit of Gabba at Old Trafford.