Manchester Test: India Lose 14 Tosses in a Row - Odds of 16,384 to 1 Defied at Old Trafford

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Manchester, July 23: India's extraordinary streak of losing tosses in international cricket continued as England captain Ben Stokes elected to field first in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Wednesday (July 23).

Indian captain Shubman Gill once again called incorrectly, marking the fourth consecutive toss loss in the ongoing Test series and India's 14th across all formats since January this year.

India last won a toss back in January 28, during the third T20I against England at Rajkot, when Suryakumar Yadav opted to field. Since then, the Men in Blue have lost tosses in two T20Is, three ODIs, five ICC Champions Trophy games, and four Tests, making it an unprecedented run of bad luck. The statistical odds of such a streak? A staggering 16,384 to 1.

This latest toss loss couldn't have come at a more crucial juncture. India need a win at Old Trafford - a venue where they have never tasted Test success - to stand a chance at lifting the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with England leading the five-match series 2-1. Statistically, no team has ever won a Test match in Manchester after opting to bowl, something the Indian captain wouldn't bother.

Despite the early setback at the toss, India began strongly, reaching 78 without loss at lunch. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul laid a solid foundation before England struck back in the second session to reduce India to 149/3 at tea.

The spotlight then shifted to Sai Sudharsan, returning to the XI after missing the second and third Tests. The young Tamil Nadu batter notched up his maiden Test fifty, playing a composed innings of 61 off 151 balls, and stitched a 72-run stand with Rishabh Pant to steady the Indian ship.

However, India were dealt a blow when Pant, who looked fluent, walked off the field with an apparent injury to his right foot, casting doubt over his availability for the remainder of the innings.

Sudharsan, meanwhile, fell to a well-directed short ball by Ben Stokes, caught at fine-leg by Brydon Carse, leaving India at 235/4. As the match continues under overcast skies, India will hope their middle and lower order can step up in Pant's potential absence.