The fourth Manchester Test between India and England is just around the corner, and the series has never been more intriguing than it is right now. India must win the fourth Test, as England is winning 2-1. A loss would give England and their captain Ben Stokes the first-ever Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, while India need a win to keep their chances of winning the competition alive. Granted, a tie would also keep India in the series, but let's face it, given the style of cricket that both sides have displayed, a tie is unlikely. Therefore, the players must come out with a lot of courage and firepower in order for India to win.

KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant maintained their aggressive attitude throughout the second and third Tests, but despite the fact that three of their powerful batsmen helped India, they lacked Yashasvi Jaiswal's bat weaponry. Although he has been given several opportunities, Karun Nair is still the only Indian batsman who hasn't even reached 50. Given the eight-day interval between the Lord's and Manchester Tests, Sunil Gavaskar anticipated that players like Jaiswal, Karun, and others would participate in a practice game of any kind. Since this did not occur, the former India captain could not fathom the rationale behind it.

"Whereas it is fair for the seniors to take it easy in these gaps and try and get away from cricket and get their bodies and minds refreshed for the remaining battles, the youngsters in the team without much experience of playing in foreign conditions could do with game time to press their case for inclusion in the playing XI. Gavaskar said in his column for Mid-Day that even those who are out of shape or out of sync would welcome the opportunity to regain their mojo.

"Not having any match practice will only make the guys, who have not done well to worry a bit more, which doesn't stand them in good stead." Even if the game was against a mediocre squad, this eight-day interval prior to the Manchester Test would have been the ideal time for Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, and Abhimanyu Easwaran to work on their batting.

The same is true for the bowlers

Some of the Indian fast bowlers received the same treatment from Gavaskar. Arshdeep Singh is still waiting for his first match, but Prasidh Krishna had a terrible performance at Edgbaston. Due to a finger injury, the left-arm seamer was ultimately ruled out of the Old Trafford Test, but Gavaskar believed that Kuldeep Yadav, who may have a chance to play the Test match starting tomorrow, should have turned up for a practice match or some kind of simulation game.

"It would have also helped bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna to get their run-ups, lines, and lengths going. Imagine if they were unexpectedly forced to bowl in a Test match after not playing any cricket for over a month. It would be really unfair to expect these young, enthusiastic cricketers to get started right away, Gavaskar said.

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