A rare worst day for India in the Tests. In July 1952, during a game at Old Trafford, Manchester, England defeated India by an innings and 207 runs, a shameful result for the visiting side led by Vijay Hazare.

In both innings of the match, India bundled way before touching a three-digit score. It was a young and fast Fred Trueman who ran riot on the Indian batting order. Trueman claimed a total of 8 wickets alone in the first innings. Pankaj Roy, Hemu Adhikari, Polly Umrigar, Dattu Phadkar, Vijay Manjrekar, Ramesh Divecha, Gulabrai Ramchand, and Khokhan Sen—the list of the batters who were outsmarted by the English fast bowler.

Later, Fred Trueman registered his name in cricket history as the first man from any country to take 300 Test wickets, a landmark he reached at The Oval in 1964. Over the years, multiple bowlers—fast bowlers—touched the specific landmark, but Trueman's average (21.57) and strike rate (a wicket every 49 balls) are still unmatchable.

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Trueman came in to the match and performed with at highest level

Talking back about the India match in 1952 at Old Trafford, the Yorkshire-born was an emerging face. On the other hand, India had multiple prolific batters in the lineup. But, somehow, the day in the office was not for the Hazare-led team. It is worth noting that Trueman grabbed 15 wickets in his first two Tests, then he went on to take 8 against India in the first innings and one wicket in the second phase of the match.

England, batting first, scored 347 for 9 in the first innings and decided to declare. Skipper Leonard Hutton scored 104 in the process. India in reply was able to display only 58 and 82 on the scoreboard. 

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has thrown his support behind all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy ahead of India's crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, starting Wednesday, July 23. Speaking about India’s team balance, Hogg stressed the importance of retaining Reddy in the playing XI to maintain batting depth. While praising Arshdeep Singh’s potential, he asserted that the left-arm seamer should only be included if Jasprit Bumrah is rested.

"I think Arshdeep Singh coming in for Nitish Reddy is probably not ideal. You want to keep Reddy there. The reason being is you need extra depth in the batting. Arshdeep Singh should come in if Bumrah is rested. Krishna has had his day. He's tried and tested; it hasn't come off. Thakur would be a good option, but I don't think he's fit enough if you're going in with one less bowler," Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

The discussion around Kuldeep Yadav has also gained traction during the series, with India opting for Washington Sundar instead. However, Hogg believes Kuldeep should still be benched, pointing again to the value Reddy brings with the ball as well. "You can either get rid of Reddy for Kuldeep or Sundar for Kuldeep. I'd keep Reddy in there because you need that extra seamer. He can do a little bit of damage with that swinging ball. If he's moving the ball, the English batters might not want to go after him if there's pressure from the other end. I wouldn't bring Kuldeep in. I'd keep the team as it is. I'd just swap Arshdeep for Bumrah if Bumrah can't play. He'll be right for the duke ball," he explained.

Karun Nair or Sai Sudharsan?

Hogg also weighed in on the debate surrounding Karun Nair, who has underperformed so far in the series despite coming off a brilliant domestic season. With just 131 runs at an average of 21.83 from six innings, Nair’s place at No. 3 is under scrutiny. Hogg believes his selection should depend entirely on his mental state.

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"The only thing with Karun Nair, if I were India, I'd just be looking out for how he is with his mindset. Is he being a little hesitant at the present moment? Is he a little bit unsure of the way that he wants to play?" Hogg questioned. He added that if Nair’s confidence is low, Sai Sudharsan—who made his debut in the first Test—should be brought back. “If he's still confident and knows the way he wants to play, I'll stick with Nair. But if his confidence is low, I'd bring in a youngster.”