India hand debut to Anshul Kamboj in the 4th Test against England at Old Trafford as part of three key changes to the playing XI. England win the toss and choose to bowl first under cloudy Manchester skies. Kamboj replaces injured Akash Deep, while Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur also come into the side.
England Bowl First as India Hand Debut to Anshul Kamboj in 4th Test
In a high-stakes clash at Old Trafford on July 23, 2025, England won the toss and chose to bowl first in the fourth Test against India. The decision, made by captain Ben Stokes, marks his fourth consecutive toss win in the series. Interestingly, no team has ever won a Test match at this venue after opting to bowl, but England are confident they can reverse that record.
India, on the other hand, made three crucial changes to their playing XI one of which turned heads. India hand debut to Anshul Kamboj, a rising fast bowler from Haryana who also plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He replaces Akash Deep, who missed out due to injury.
Shubman Gill, standing in as captain, commented after the toss, “I was a bit confused whether to bat or bowl, but with the kind of surface and the overhead conditions, this is probably a good toss to lose.” Gill praised the team’s efforts in the first three Tests, attributing the setbacks only to small “crunch moments.”
India’s Bold Team Changes – Kamboj Gets His Chance
As India hand debut to Anshul Kamboj, the team’s strategy clearly focuses on injecting fresh energy into the bowling unit. Kamboj’s pace, consistency, and domestic record made him a strong contender, and this opportunity is a big step in his international journey.
Alongside Kamboj, Sai Sudharsan was brought in at No. 3 to replace Karun Nair, who failed to impress in the first three matches. In the third change, Shardul Thakur made his return to replace the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy.
India hand debut to Anshul Kamboj with high hopes that the youngster can bring impact with the new ball, especially under cloudy Manchester skies.
England’s Only Change – Dawson Returns After 8 Years
England, who lead the series and look confident, made just one enforced change. Liam Dawson, the left-arm all-rounder from Hampshire, replaced Shoaib Bashir, who fractured his finger in the previous Test.
Stokes justified his decision at the toss, saying, “It’s a typical Manchester pitch firm with some grass, and the overheads are great for bowling. Hopefully, we make early breakthroughs.”
The match promises to be a fierce contest with both teams keen to gain control early. With India hand debut to Anshul Kamboj, all eyes will be on how the youngster adapts to the big stage in English conditions.
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FAQ
Q1. Who is making his Test debut for India in the 4th Test against England 2025?
A: Anshul Kamboj is making his Test debut for India.
Q2. Why did England choose to bowl first at Old Trafford?
A: England captain Ben Stokes chose to bowl due to overcast conditions and a green surface that could support seam bowling early on.
Q3. Who replaced Karun Nair in India’s playing XI?
A: Sai Sudharsan replaced Karun Nair at the No. 3 batting position.
Q4. What forced India to make changes to their XI?
A: Injuries to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep led to the inclusion of Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj.
Q5. When was the last time Liam Dawson played a Test for England?
A: Before this match, Liam Dawson last played a Test for England in 2017, making this his return after eight years.
