Lord’s pain to 4th test gain, India to take revenge at Manchester?
As the fourth Test of the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy looms (July 23–27, 2025), Team India finds itself yet again confronting an ominous record at Old Trafford, Manchester—a venue where victory remains elusive after nearly nine decades of effort.
Bitter History: Nine Tests, Zero Wins
India have played nine Test matches at Old Trafford since their debut there in July 1936 under the Maharajah of Vizianagram. Across this long span:
0 wins, 4 defeats, 5 draws
Losses came in 1952, 1959, 1974, and 2014, including two innings defeats: by an innings and 207 runs in 1952 and an innings and 54 runs in 2014 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy
Livid Losses and Narrow Escapes
1952: A horror show as India were dismissed for 58 and 82 in the same day, leading to an innings and 207-run defeat
1959: Lost by 171 runs.
1974: Defeated by 113 runs, the narrowest margin so far at this ground.
2014: A decisive loss by an innings and 54 runs after being reduced to 8/4, with recovery impossible despite spirited individual showings
Moments of Individual Brilliance
Despite the team drought at Old Trafford, Indian players have had moments of brilliance:
Mohammad Azharuddin scored a majestic 179 in 1990—the highest by an Indian at the venue to date
A young Sachin Tendulkar, aged just 17, notched his first international century—119*—in the same Test, helping salvage a draw and earning Player of the Match honors
Other centurions at Manchester across decades include Syed Mushtaq Ali, Vijay Merchant, Sandeep Patil, Sunil Gavaskar, and Abbas Ali Baig
Sunil Gavaskar remains India’s most consistent batter here, accumulating 242 runs across three appearances, while Vinoo Mankad holds the bowling record with 9 wickets
The Current Narrative: 2025 Series at Stake
At present, England lead the series 2–1, following a narrow 22-run win at Lord’s. India’s sole victory came in a commanding performance at Edgbaston, where Shubman Gill compiled a staggering 269 & 161, scoring over 430 runs in the match and breaking multiple records
The 4th Test—the series’ turning point—begins at Manchester. India must break the Old Trafford jinx to level the series, while England needs just one more win to clinch it
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Test Record at Old Trafford: India vs England
Year Result Margin Captain
1936 Draw — Maharajah of Vizianagram
1946 Draw — —
1952 Loss Innings and 207 runs —
1959 Loss 171 runs —
1971 Draw — —
1974 Loss 113 runs —
1982 Draw — —
1990 Draw — Mohammad Azharuddin
2014 Loss Innings and 54 runs MS Dhoni
Total: 9 Tests, 0 wins, 4 losses, 5 draws
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