As the fourth Test of the five-match series between India and England continues to unfold, the hosts maintain a 2-1 lead. With the action shifting into a critical phase, a win for England in this penultimate Test would seal the series in their favor. However, if India manages to come out on top, the teams will head into a high-stakes decider at The Oval. Day 1 saw early setbacks for India as both openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, were dismissed, denting their strong start.

KL Rahul was the first to fall in the second session, edging a Chris Woakes delivery to Zak Crawley. Jaiswal, on the other hand, reached his half-century before being removed by Liam Dawson, who celebrated his first Test wicket in eight years. Shubman Gill, leading India in this series, also couldn’t make much impact, departing for just 12 off 23 balls, continuing a run of low scores.

Despite the intense on-field action, it was a lighthearted off-field moment that caught social media’s attention. Commentating during the match, former India head coach Ravi Shastri aimed a good-natured jibe at legendary wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer. As the camera focused on the 87-year-old in the stands, Shastri quipped, “A real pin-up boy in the 60s and 70s. Hugely popular, and he's not changed over the years. A great storyteller and a voracious eater even now. At lunch his plate will be full.” The veteran, listening in from the stands, responded with a hearty chuckle.

A legend honoured at Old Trafford

Adding to the emotional resonance of the moment, Lancashire County Cricket Club honored both Farokh Engineer and former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd by naming stadium stands after them at Old Trafford. Engineer, who represented Lancashire between 1968 and 1976, left a legacy of 5,942 runs, 429 catches, and 35 stumpings in 175 matches. His presence was crucial in helping the club lift the Gillette Cup four times in six years, ending a long 15-year title drought.

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Never change, Ravi 🤣 pic.twitter.com/aIc1mhgJF9

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 23, 2025

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With Jaiswal, Rahul, and captain Gill already back in the pavilion, India’s hopes now rest on their middle-order strength to post a competitive total in this crucial Test.

Veteran India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer has expressed concern about Karun Nair’s recent performances with bat ahead of the fourth Test between India and England. He noted that although Nair has shown glimpses of class, scoring stylish 30s isn't enough at the highest level and he must deliver more meaningful contributions.

He emphasized that India needs more substance from Nair, not just style. According to Engineer, scoring big runs is crucial, even if it means putting aside flair and focusing purely on effectiveness. The expectation from someone in Nair’s position is to deliver match-defining knocks, especially when given such a long-awaited opportunity.

Karun Nair made a strong comeback to the Indian Test side after a long pause, thanks to his impressive run in the domestic circuit during the 2024–25 season. However, he has struggled to convert his domestic success into impactful performances on the international stage, and pressure is now mounting for him to make his mark.

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Farokh Engineer’s Remark on Karun Nair’s Approach of Scoring Runs:

Experienced India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer stressed that Karun Nair needs to convert his starts into bigger scores and spend more time at the crease to make a stronger impact. He believes a No. 3 batter carries greater responsibility, especially with India heading into a crucial fourth Test needing a win to stay in the series. Engineer urged Nair to turn good starts into big scores.

Speaking to Times of India (TOI), Farokh Engineer said, "Karun Nair has been getting brilliant 20s and 30s. He's (Nair) scored beautiful 30 runs, beautiful cover drives and all that. But a beautiful 30 is not expected from a No. 3. You've got to get a not-so-beautiful 100. You need runs on the board. You need (to score) bigger. The expectation should be much higher."

Karun Nair has managed just 131 runs in 3 Test matches so far, with an average of 21.83 and a highest score of 40 in the third Test at Lord’s. India’s unsuccessful chase of 193 in that match has put the spotlight on the batting lineup. With youngsters like Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel making a strong case, Nair’s spot in the playing XI may be under serious threat.

Former Indian wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer came down heavily on England’s Bazball approach ahead of Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s, calling it a strategy that would never work against top-tier opposition. After suffering a crushing 336-run defeat in the second Test at Edgbaston, England took a surprisingly cautious route in their first innings at Lord’s, scoring 387 runs in 112.3 overs at a run rate below 3.50. The uncharacteristic shift from their usual aggressive play caught many off guard.

Speaking to RevSportz (via Hindustan Times), Engineer said, “This Bazball is all bundlebaz; they can do Bazball against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Against India, they cannot do that, and I have always said that in the past. I wish they had adopted Bazball; we would have won the series by now.” With India posting an identical 387 in reply, the match is now set up as a one-innings shootout, making Day 4 pivotal in the series-deciding third Test.

The outcome of the current contest will significantly influence the fate of the first-ever Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with the series at 1-1, and how the two teams handle the pressure of the final two days at this historic venue.

“It’s Not ”Cricket”—Engineer Slams England's Time-Wasting Tactics

Farokh Engineer also didn’t hold back when discussing England's attempt to delay play at the end of Day 3. After bowling India out, England had about six minutes to bat but managed to stretch time and avoid facing more than one over. Zak Crawley, in particular, was seen deliberately slowing things down to prevent Jasprit Bumrah from bowling a second over.

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“English people will call it professionalism, but I would call it cheating. Those were time-wasting tactics. They did not want to face another, which was very obvious. He could have been discreet about it, but he made it look so obvious. That wasn't very fair. But who knows? I don't think our batsmen would have done such a blatant thing. The headline is it's not cricket,” Engineer asserted. Despite India's frustration, Crawley’s delay worked, and England ended Day 3 at 2/0 with everything to play for.